# NTSB ERA11CA235: Robinson R22, N791SH, Marlboro, MA, April 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 10, 2011, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Marlboro, MA - Coordinates: 42.339168, -71.505279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3392&lon=-71.5053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78825/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78825 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA235 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot stated that prior to departure for a solo cross-country flight, his flight instructor informed him he would notice extra aft weight when lifting off as this would be his first time flying the helicopter solo with full fuel tanks. The student pilot stated that as the helicopter became light on its skids, he felt it tilt aft, and corrected with the application of cyclic and anti-torque pedals. As he raised the collective and lifted off the ground, the helicopter turned to the right, and he immediately lowered the collective and set the helicopter back down. The helicopter's tail skid impacted the ground, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter, and that the right turn may have been prevented by additional left anti-torque pedal application. ## Factual narrative The student pilot stated that prior to departure for a solo cross-country flight, his flight instructor informed him he would notice extra aft weight when lifting off as this was the first time flying the helicopter solo with full fuel tanks. The student pilot stated that as the helicopter became light on its skids, he felt it tilt aft, and corrected with the application of cyclic and anti-torque pedals. As he raised the collective and lifted off the ground, the helicopter turned to the right, and he immediately lowered the collective and set the helicopter back down. The helicopter's tail skid “stinger” impacted the ground, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter, and that the right turn may have been prevented by additional left anti-torque pedal application. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N791SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N791SH), registered now, S/N 3637, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22 (BETA) - 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: 3637 - Airframe hours: 4579 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: North Andover Flight Academy - Registered owner: Matthew Spitzer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 28, 2011 - Departed: 9B1, Marlboro, MA - Destination: 9B1, Marlboro, MA - Airport: 9B1, Marlboro Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 189 total, 30 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: BED, 12 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 20110410006759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110410006759A), Apr 10, 2011: Robinson Helicopter Company R22, Marlboro, MA, Substantial damage. The student, an airplane rated private pilot, was on his fourth solo flight. This was his first solo flight with the fuel tanks full, resulting in a center of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78825. 718 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 494 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - NTSB Report Supplement, Helicopter Operator Information (item 3, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347493&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Report%20Supplement,%20Helicopter%20Operator%20Information-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.