Robinson R22 BETA N8347V

Summary

On 26 February 2007 at about 17:45 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N8347V, operated by Silver State Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Melbourne, Florida, 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

26 February 2007 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Melbourne, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Melbourne International (MLB)

Coordinates

28.1014, -80.6450

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N8347V

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Silver State Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Melbourne → Melbourne

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI07CA077

Nobody was injured.

The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action following a loss of control in flight. A factor to the accident is that the dual student did not maintain directional control of the helicopter while manuevering, which subsequently caused the instructor to lose control of the helicopter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter spun to the left 2 to 2.5 times during liftoff, contacted the ground in a level attitude then spun about 180 degrees causing damage to one of the skids and the tailboom. The instructor reported that he let the student have as much control during liftoff that he, the instructor, was comfortable allowing. The instructor reported that he told the student to "raise the collective slowly and correct for any movement." The instructor stated that while lifting off, the helicopter "started to spin to the left. I think I over reacted to the controls, then over corrected." The instructor reported the helicopter spun rapidly two and a half full turns before contact with the ground. The instructor stated that upon contact with the ground "he had all of the controls." The instructor reported the helicopter spun again, about 180-270 degrees, before coming to a rest.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.