# NTSB ATL06CA010: Robinson Beta II, N861MP, Lawrenceville, GA, October 31, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 31, 2005, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Lawrenceville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.977779, -83.961944
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9778&lon=-83.9619&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Atlanta FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA010

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of flight controls which resulted in a collision with a fence.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, standing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Roll over, standing

## Analysis

According to the student pilot, he lifted the collective control of the helicopter and it began to turn left. The pilot lowered the collective control,  applied right anti-torque input, and added power. The helicopter began spinning to the right, collided with a fence, and the helicopter rolled over on its right side and came to a stop. Examination of the helicopter revealed the tail boom separated from the airframe and the man rotor blades were buckled at the main rotor mass. The student pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

On October 31, 2005 at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Robinson Beta II helicopter, N861MP, registered to and operated by Blue Ridge Helicopters Inc., collided with the ground at Gwinnett County - Briscoe Field,  Lawrenceville, Georgia, and was substantially damaged. The student pilot was not injured. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed.

According to the student pilot, he lifted the collective control of the helicopter and it began to turn left. The pilot lowered the collective control,  applied right anti-torque input, and added power. The helicopter began spinning to the right, and then collided with a fence. The helicopter rolled over on the right side and came to a stop. Examination of the helicopter revealed the tail boom separated from the airframe and the main rotor blades were buckled at the main rotor mass. The student pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N861MP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N861MP-2017-07-05), registration cancelled 2017-07-05, S/N 3366, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson Beta II
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3366
- Airframe hours: 1047
- Engines: Lycoming 0-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Blue Ridge Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005, 98 hours before
- Departed: LZU, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA
- Destination: LZU, Lawerance, GA
- Airport: LZU, Gwinnett County - Briscoe Fiel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observed at: LZU

## 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 20051031029589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051031029589A), Oct 31, 2005: Robsin R22BETA, Lawrenceville, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot [privacy data omitted] stated that he was starting to take off and felt the helicopter start to spin on him, so he attempted to set it back…

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.

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