Robinson R-22A N56MU

Summary

On 28 September 2003 at about 16:00 local time, a Robinson R-22A registered N56MU, operated by East Coast Aero Club, was involved in an accident near Bedford, Massachusetts, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 September 2003 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Laurence G Hanscom Fld (BED)

Coordinates

42.4697, -71.2889

Aircraft

Robinson R-22A

Registration

N56MU

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

East Coast Aero Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bedford → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03CA207

Nobody was injured.

The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain ground clearance and his delayed remedial action, which resulted in a rollover.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing flight instruction to the student pilot, who had accumulated about 3 hours of helicopter flight experience. According to the CFI, the student pilot was practicing hovering, when the helicopter descended "too low." The helicopter momentarily contacted the ground while drifting to the right, and rolled over. The CFI further stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.