Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Smoketown Helicopters LLC
Location: Smoketown, Pennsylvania
Accident Number: GAA20CA060
Date & Time: November 4, 2019, 11:19 Local
Registration: N8560A
Aircraft: Robinson R22
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Dynamic rollover
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The flight instructor reported that he lifted off in the helicopter and ascended to between about 3 and 4 ft above the grassy field north of the runway to show the student pilot how to hover, and while having positive control of the collective and antitorque pedal, he gave the cyclic control to the student. While the instructor was "guarding" the cyclic, the student applied right cyclic. Subsequently, the helicopter descended, and the right skid contacted the ground. The instructor applied left cyclic, but the helicopter dynamically rolled over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system and horizontal stabilizer. The 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 cyclic input while hovering and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Use of equip/system - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Monitoring other person - Instructor/check pilot
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-hover Low altitude operation/event
Maneuvering-hover Simulated/training event
Maneuvering-hover Dynamic rollover (Defining event)
Maneuvering-hover Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 30,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: February 1, 2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: Flight Time: (Estimated)
Student pilot Information
Certificate: None
Age: 44,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N8560A
Model/Series: R22 Alpha
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1985
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 0474
Landing Gear Type: N/A; Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: September 6, 2019 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1370 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 10410.1 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: O-360-B2A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 145 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Dawn
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLNS,403 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 15:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 318°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 160°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.32 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / -1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Smoketown, PA (S37)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Smoketown, PA (S37)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 10:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: SMOKETOWN S37
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 370 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.041667,-76.201942(est)
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