Loss of Control in Flight: Robinson R44, N479AT, accident occurred July 27, 2018 at Palm Beach County Park/Lantana Airport (KLNA), West Palm Beach, Florida

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; West Palm Beach, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N479AT



Location: Lantana, FL
Accident Number: GAA18CA450
Date & Time: 07/27/2018, 1845 EDT
Registration: N479AT
Aircraft: Robinson R44
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

Analysis 

The helicopter instructor reported that, during the approach to land, about 5 ft above the ground, the student pilot overcorrected and moved the cyclic "back hard and slightly right." The right rear skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled to the right. The main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its right side.

The student reported that he believed the skid strike and unusual attitude were caused by his inexperience.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades, the fuselage, and the tailboom.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

Findings

Aircraft
Pitch control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)
Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Miscellaneous/other
Abnormal runway contact
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Dynamic rollover
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 39, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/20/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/19/2016
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 1188.3 hours (Total, all aircraft), 163.9 hours (Total, this make and model), 1136.6 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 179.2 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 58.5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3.7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 31, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/12/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/08/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 278 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3.3 hours (Total, this make and model), 278 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 13.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N479AT
Model/Series: R44 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1768
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/04/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3720.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: O-540-F1B5
Registered Owner: Airmen Testing And Training Inc Dba
Rated Power: 225 hp
Operator: Airmen Testing And Training Inc Dba
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPBI, 21 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2247 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 352°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 20000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 130°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lantana, FL (LNA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Lantana, FL (LNA)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1815 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: PALM BEACH COUNTY PARK (LNA)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 14 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry 
Runway Used: 16
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3421 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  26.592778, -80.085278 (est)