# NTSB ERA14CA055: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N44DQ, Tunica, MS, November 28, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 28, 2013, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Tunica, MS - Coordinates: 34.68111, -90.346107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6811&lon=-90.3461&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88492 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88492/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88492 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA055 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the attempted takeoff, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot. ## 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 R44 II, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/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) ## Analysis The flight instructor and the student pilot were practicing hovering autorotation maneuvers in a helicopter. Following a successful autorotation, and while the helicopter was on the ground with the collective pitch control fully lowered, the pilot told the student, "let's do another one." The flight instructor planned to remind the student pilot to center the anti-torque pedals, as some right pedal was still applied following the preceding autorotation. Before he could do so, the student pilot rapidly increased the engine throttle and the helicopter began yawing to the right. In order to keep the helicopter from sliding along the ground, the student forcefully increased the collective pitch. The helicopter lifted off the ground instantly and the flight instructor advised the student pilot, "I have controls." The student subsequently "locked up on the controls" and inadvertently applied full left anti-torque pedal as he attempted to brace himself. The helicopter yawed rapidly while in the air and the tail of the helicopter struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The flight instructor eventually regained control of the helicopter, reduced the throttle to idle, and performed a successful autorotation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor and the student pilot were practicing hovering autorotation maneuvers in a helicopter. Following a successful autorotation, and while the helicopter was on the ground with the collective pitch control fully lowered, the pilot told the student, "let's do another one." The flight instructor planned to remind the student pilot to center the anti-torque pedals, as some right pedal was still applied following the preceding autorotation. Before he could do so, the student pilot rapidly increased the engine throttle and the helicopter began yawing to the right. In order to keep the helicopter from sliding along the ground, the student forcefully increased the collective pitch. The helicopter lifted off the ground instantly and the flight instructor advised the student pilot, "I have controls." The student subsequently "locked up on the controls" and inadvertently applied full left anti-torque pedal as he attempted to brace himself. The helicopter yawed rapidly while in the air and the tail of the helicopter struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The flight instructor eventually regained control of the helicopter, reduced the throttle to idle, and performed a successful autorotation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44DQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44DQ), registered now, S/N 10821, built 2005 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 10821 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 4176 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Upper Limit Aviation - Registered owner: Tumbleweed Leasing Co Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 2013, 17 hours before - Departed: UTA, Tunica, MS - Destination: UTA, Tunica, MS - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: UTA, Tunica Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 27, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 369 total, 54 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: KUTA ## 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 20131128024169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131128024169A), Nov 28, 2013: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Tunica, MS, Substantial damage. After completion of autorotation with instructor while on the ground, student failed to move anti torque pedals to the neutral position prior to increasing… ## Other investigations on N44DQ (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR22LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA132), Mar 22, 2022: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N44DQ), Howe, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm while descending with a gusting tailwind condition, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88492. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406071&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Flight Instructor and Student Pilot Statements (item 2, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20and%20Student%20Pilot%20Statements-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Damage to Aft Right Portion of Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 483 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406069&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Damage%20to%20Aft%20Right%20Portion%20of%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Damage to Vertical Stabilizer (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 473 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406070&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Damage%20to%20Vertical%20Stabilizer%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.