# NTSB ERA11CA505: Robinson Helicopter R44, N982DH, Clearwater, FL, September 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2011, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.90611, -82.685554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9061&lon=-82.6856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81913 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA505 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81913/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81913 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA505 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that she had relocated the helicopter from a dolly to the taxiway in order for the student to conduct the takeoff from the taxiway. The student pilot took control of the helicopter and lifted the collective, and the helicopter began to roll to the right. The CFI stated that she lowered the collective and applied left cyclic, but the helicopter continued to roll to the right. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The CFI reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that she had relocated the helicopter from a dolly to the taxiway in order for the student to conduct the takeoff from the taxiway. The student pilot took control of the helicopter and lifted the collective, and the helicopter began to roll to the right. The CFI stated that she lowered the collective and applied left cyclic, but the helicopter continued to roll to the right. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The CFI reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N982DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N982DH-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 0982, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0982 - Airframe hours: 1876 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Razor Blades Helicopters - Registered owner: Need 2 Fly Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 2010 - Departed: PIE, Clearwater, FL - Destination: PIE, Clearwater, FL - Airport: PIE, St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 6, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,762 total, 288 in this make and model, 1,683 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 700 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: PIE ## 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 20110927022359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110927022359A), Sep 27, 2011: Robinson Helicopter R44, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. On September 27, 2011, at 1620 local time, a Robinson R-44, N982DH, registered to need 2 fly aviation LLC, rolled over after lift off while on a training… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81913. 314 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 314 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.