# NTSB ERA10CA083: Robinson Helicopter R22, N324GS, Indian Key, FL, November 28, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 28, 2009, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Indian Key, FL - Coordinates: 24.873611, -80.672775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.8736&lon=-80.6728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75108 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75108/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75108 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to secure the collective control prior to departing the helicopter, which resulted in an unmanned departure and subsequent crash of the helicopter. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Parking/securing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he landed in order to examine his helicopter due to the intermittent illumination of a warning light. After landing, he reduced the throttle to "70 percent," exited the helicopter, and began a visual inspection as the helicopter continued to run. During the inspection, the helicopter initiated a takeoff, which the pilot could not arrest from outside the cockpit. The helicopter climbed to approximately 150 feet altitude and flew about 1,800 feet before it descended and collided with water. The pilot was seriously injured during the takeoff, and the helicopter was substantially damaged during collision with the water. The pilot stated that he failed to secure the collective control, and added, "There was nothing wrong with the helicopter." ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he landed in order to examine his helicopter due to the intermittent illumination of a warning light. After landing, he reduced the throttle to "70 percent," exited the helicopter, and began a visual inspection as the helicopter continued to run. During the inspection, the helicopter initiated a takeoff, which the pilot could not arrest from outside the cockpit. The helicopter climbed to approximately 150 feet altitude and flew about 1,800 feet before it descended and collided with water. The pilot was seriously injured during the takeoff, and the helicopter was substantially damaged during collision with the water. The pilot stated that he failed to secure the collective control, and added, "There was nothing wrong with the helicopter." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N324GS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N324GS-2009-12-31), registration cancelled 2009-12-31, S/N 3307, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3307 - Airframe hours: 261 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: G & S Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: G & S Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 2009, 20 hours before - Departed: Islamorada, FL - Destination: Islamorada, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2009; flight hours: 23,000 total, 350 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: MTH, 10 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 20091128051679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091128051679A), Nov 28, 2009: Robinson He R22, Indian Key, FL, Destroyed. Pilot took off from backyard of his house at mile marker 88 in islamorada, FL and flew at 500' along the ocean shoreline to approximately mile marker 75 when… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75108. 24 KB in all. - Pilot Interview Summary (item 1, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321883&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Police Officer Statement (item 2, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321884&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Officer%20Statement-Redacted.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.