Robinson R22 BETA N4003S

Summary

On 3 March 2015 at about 19:40 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N4003S was involved in an accident near San Bernardino, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 March 2015 at 19:40

Classification

Accident

Location

San Bernardino, California, United States

Nearest airport

San Bernardino Intl (SBD)

Coordinates

34.0953, -117.2350

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N4003S

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1990

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Riverside → Riverside

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR15CA119

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the ground, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent dynamic rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while conducting a pedal turn at a hover over rough dirt and grass east of the taxiway, the right skid contacted the ground and became lodged. The helicopter subsequently spun and rolled on its right side. During the rollover, the helicopter's main rotor blades struck the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.        

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.