# NTSB CEN13CA053: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N131AA, Bryan, TX, November 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 6, 2012, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Bryan, TX - Coordinates: 30.715555, -96.333335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7156&lon=-96.3333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 85532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85532/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85532 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot’s over-correction in an attempt to stabilize the helicopter during liftoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was receiving training to obtain a helicopter rating; he had 31 hours of helicopter flight time, and the accident occurred on his second solo flight. The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off from a wet grass area and that when he increased the collective to lift off, the helicopter began to roll to the right with the right skid still on the ground. He moved the cyclic to the left and the helicopter responded by rolling to the left with the left skid contacting the ground. The pilot then applied right cyclic and the helicopter again rolled to the right. The right skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. As a result of the accident, the main rotor blades and the helicopter fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot who held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land airplane ratings was receiving training to obtain a helicopter rating. The pilot had 31 hours of helicopter flight time and the accident occurred on his second solo flight. The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from a wet grass area when the accident occurred. He stated that when he increased the collective to lift off, the helicopter began to roll to the right with the right skid still on the ground. He moved the cyclic to the left and the helicopter responded by rolling to the left with the left skid contacting the ground. The pilot then applied right cyclic and the helicopter again rolled to the right. The right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over onto it's right side. As a result of the accident, the main rotor blades and the helicopter fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures/malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N131AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N131AA-2013-03-04), registration cancelled 2013-03-04, S/N 10215, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 10215 - Airframe hours: 1438 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: AD Holdings LLC - Registered owner: AD Holdings LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 19, 2012 - Departed: CFD, Bryan, TX - Destination: CFD, Bryan, TX - Airport: CFD, Coulter Airfield ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 4,001 total, 31 in this make and model, 3,948 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: CLL, 9 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 20121106028159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121106028159A), Nov 6, 2012: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Bryan, TX, Substantial damage. Student pilot was on second solo flight of the day. When the collective was applied the helicopter became light on the skids and started to hover the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85532. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 976 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381831&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381894&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF 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.