Robinson R44 N479AT

Summary

On 27 July 2018 at about 22:45 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N479AT, operated by Airmen Testing And Training Inc Dba, was involved in an accident near Lantana, Florida, United States. 2 people were 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

27 July 2018 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Lantana, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Palm Beach County Park (LNA)

Coordinates

26.5928, -80.0853

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N479AT

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Airmen Testing And Training Inc Dba

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lantana → Lantana

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA450

1 person had minor injuries.

The student pilot’s improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. 

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.