# NTSB FTW03LA140: Robinson R-22 Beta, N2341Z, Ardmore, OK, April 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 2003, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Ardmore, OK - Coordinates: 34.146945, -97.122497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1469&lon=-97.1225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 56866 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56866/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA140 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during liftoff. A contributing factor was the inadvertent encounter of propeller blast from the other airplane starting at the time of takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - propeller/jet blast encounter - inadvertent, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated he pulled the helicopter out of the hangar and faced it north into the light wind behind an airplane that was facing south. During lift off, the helicopter "suddenly moved forward." The pilot then heard a "scraping sound," as the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its left side. The pilot further stated that as the helicopter lifted off, the airplane located behind the helicopter started its engine. The propeller blast from the parked airplane created a tailwind which the pilot did not expect and could not compensate. ## Factual narrative On April 20, 2003, at 0900 central daylight time, a Robinson R-22 BETA helicopter, N2341Z, registered to and operated by Litchfield flying LTD, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was substantially damaged when it rolled over during takeoff from Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport (1F0), near Ardmore, Oklahoma. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot, who had a total of 49 hours in the accident helicopter, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he pulled the helicopter out of the hangar and faced it north into the light wind directly behind a Cessna 172 that was facing south. During lift off, the helicopter "suddenly moved forward." He then heard a "scraping sound," and the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its left side. The pilot also reported that, just as the helicopter lifted off, the engine of the Cessna was started. The ensueing propeller blast from the Cessna created a tailwind relative to the helicopter. The pilot did not expect the wind blast and was unable to control the helicopter. An examination of the helicopter, by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that both main rotor blades, both tail rotor blades, and the tail boom sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2341Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2341Z-2005-03-02), registration cancelled 2005-03-02, S/N 2188, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 BETA - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2188 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Ardmore, OK - Airport: 1F0, Ardmore Downtown Executive ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 8, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 10,180 total, 49 in this make and model, 9,703 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: 1F0 ## 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 20030420008019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030420008019A), Apr 20, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Ardmore, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot of N2341Z was lifting off from his personal helipad. During lift-off, he failed to maintain directional control which resulted in the right skid… 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.