# NTSB ATL03LA001: Robinson R-22, N222MQ, Louisburg, NC, October 4, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 2002, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Louisburg, NC - Coordinates: 36.027778, -78.330558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0278&lon=-78.3306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Greensboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55828/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA001 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of flight controls (collective and cyclic) during an attempted takeoff to a hover, that resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain, and dynamic rollover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - Roll over, takeoff - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was on his second supervised solo flight. As he applied collective pitch, the front of the skids of the helicopter came off the ground and the rear of the skids remained on the ground. He continued to increase collective pitch; the helicopter became airborne, yawed to the left, and started drifting to the right. The right skid collided with the ground and the helicopter bounced back into the air. He over corrected with cyclic and the right skid collided with the ground again, and the helicopter rolled over on its right side. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the helicopter. He was late with flight control inputs and the helicopter rolled over. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 2002, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22, N222MQ, registered to M. Spitzer Helicopter Leasing, operated by Corporate Aviation Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, rolled over on its right side while taking off to a hover. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage and the airline transport rated pilot reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from Franklin County Airport, Louisburg, North Carolina, at 1130. The pilot stated he was on his second supervised solo flight and was taking off from the sod area located adjacent to runway 22. As he applied collective pitch the front skids of the helicopter came off the ground and the rear skids remained on the ground. He continued to increase collective pitch; the helicopter became airborne, yawed to the left, and started drifting to the right. The right skid collided with the ground and the helicopter bounced back into the air. The pilot stated he over corrected with cyclic and the right skid collided with the ground again. The helicopter encountered dynamic rollover and rolled over on its right side. Examination of the helicopter revealed the cabin bubble was broken, both main rotor blades sustained damage, and the airframe on the right side sustained structural damage. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the helicopter. Review of Robinson Helicopter Company Safety Notice SN-9 states, "A dynamic rollover can occur whenever the landing gear contacts a fixed object, forcing the aircraft to pivot about the object instead of about its own center of gravity. The fixed object can be any obstacle or surface which prevents the skid from moving sideways. Once started, dynamic rollover cannot be stopped by application of opposite cyclic alone. ## Aircraft - Registration: N222MQ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3362 - Airframe hours: 56 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Corporate Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: M. Spitzer Helicopter Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 2002, 56 hours before - Departed: LHZ, Louisburg, NC - Airport: LHZ, Franklin County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 27, 1961; seat: right; flight hours: 2,179 total, 27 in this make and model, 1,999 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 29 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20021004028429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021004028429A), Oct 4, 2002: Robsin R22BETA, Louisburg, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Rated student pilot was on second solo flight in R-22 helicopter. He was working toward a helicopter rating. While attempting to pick aircraft up to… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.