# NTSB ERA14CA102: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N72AP, West Palm Beach, FL, January 23, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 23, 2014, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.845832, -80.222221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8458&lon=-80.2222&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88709/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88709
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA102

## Probable cause

The certificated flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control during a run-on landing, resulting in a rollover and ground collision.

## 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 BETA, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640110), [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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) stated that during a local training flight he was demonstrating how to perform a run-on landing to the student pilot. During the landing, the helicopter began to travel toward the right edge of the paved surface. The CFI stated he countered the right slide with left cyclic input. As the helicopter approached the paved surface edge, the CFI raised collective in order to attempt put the helicopter into a hover but the helicopter left the paved surface. The helicopter subsequently rolled over on to the right side, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom, main rotor blades, and fuselage. According to a written report, there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) stated that during a local training flight he was demonstrating how to perform a run-on landing to the student pilot. During the landing, the helicopter began to travel toward the right edge of the paved surface. The CFI stated he countered the right slide with left cyclic input. As the helicopter approached the paved surface edge, the CFI raised collective in order to attempt put the helicopter into a hover but the helicopter left the paved surface. The helicopter subsequently rolled over on to the right side, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom, main rotor blades, and fuselage. According to a written report, there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72AP-2026-03-31), registration cancelled 2026-03-31, S/N 3541 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA (BETA)
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3541
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 2232
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ocean Helicopters
- Registered owner: November Alpha LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 7, 2014
- Departed: F45, West Palm Beach, FL
- Destination: F45, West Palm Beach, FL
- Airport: F45, North Palm Beach County Genera

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 34; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 362 total, 302 in this make and model, 118 in the last 90 days
- Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: KPBI, 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 20140123000219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140123000219A), Jan 23, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. CFI was demonstrating a low approach to a running/roll-on landing to taxiway delta. After landing the instructor attempted to get airborne to prevent the…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88709. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memoradum For Record - West Palm Beach Florida Weather (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memoradum%20For%20Record%20-%20West%20Palm%20Beach%20Florida%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Helicopter at Rest (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 733 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Helicopter%20at%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Phot 2: Ground Scars (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 561 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Phot%202%3A%20Ground%20Scars%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%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.

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