# NTSB CHI95LA034: Robinson R-22B, N317GB, Mc Cordsville, IN, November 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 1994, 16:38 local (21:38 UTC) - Place: Mc Cordsville, IN - Coordinates: 39.900375, -85.92958 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9004&lon=-85.9296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA034 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the cyclic control. Factors were the diversion of attention and total lack of experience in the type of aircraft, by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE PILOT HELD A PRIVATE CERTIFICATE FOR SINGLE ENGINE LAND AIRPLANES AND WAS PILOTING THE HELICOPTER ON A SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD 307 HOURS IN AIRPLANES AND 23 HOURS IN THE HELICOPTER WITH ONE HOUR SOLO, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE STATED THAT ON INITIAL TAKEOFF ADJACENT TO RUNWAY 25, HE WAS AWARE OF AN AIRPLANE DEPARTING ON RUNWAY 25 AND WHEN IT CAME INTO HIS SIGHT, HIGH AND TO HIS LEFT, HE TURNED TO CONFIRM ITS PRESENCE. WHEN HE TURNED BACK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO PITCH NOSE HIGH AND RESPONDED BY MOVING THE CYCLIC CONTROL FORWARD. HE DESCRIBED LOSING CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER TO A NEAR LEVEL CONDITION AT TOUCHDOWN. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. ## Factual narrative On November 8, 1994, at 1638 eastern standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N317GB, registered to Indianapolis Helicopter, and flown by a private (airplane) pilot, experienced a departure from controlled flight and impacted the terrain on takeoff from adjacent to runway 25 at Mount Comfort Airport, Mc Cordsville, Indiana. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The local solo instructional flight was operating under provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was on departure at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he knew that an airplane was about to depart runway 25 and when it came into his sight high and to his left, he turned his head to confirm its presence. On looking back he realized that he had allowed the helicopter to pitch nose up. In response to this attitude his reaction was "... to pitch over the nose, which induced a low 'g' situation which progressed immediately and very violently into a right snap roll and loss of control." He was able to level the helicopter just prior to a hard touchdown and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. The pilot held a private pilot's certificate with privileges for single engine land airplanes. He reported that he had 307 hours in fixed wing airplanes. He was receiving training in the accident helicopter and was flying a supervised solo flight at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's statement, he had 23 hours total experience in the helicopter and one hour of solo flight at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N317GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N317GB-2017-07-03), registration cancelled 2017-07-03, S/N 2429, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2429 - Airframe hours: 350 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Indianapolis Helicopter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 20, 1994, 42 hours before - Departed: MQJ - Destination: MQJ - Airport: MQJ, Mount Comfort, runway 25, 5,500 × 250 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 331 total, 23 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 13 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 19 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 19941108039059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941108039059A), Nov 8, 1994: Robsin R22BETA, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. On climbout turned to avoid traffic. Distracted failed to note descent. Impacted ground hard. Rolled over. (.4) the pilot held a private certificate for single… 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.