# NTSB GAA16CA279: Robinson Helicopter R44, N441JL, Las Vegas, NV, June 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 2, 2016, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.209167, -115.195274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2092&lon=-115.1953&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93317 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93317/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93317 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction's incorrect action of interfering with the flight controls and failure to comply with the flight instructor's commands, which resulted in a loss of lateral bank control and a rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,387 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): following instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,558 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,428 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); 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) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 10,152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that during a helicopter "discovery flight" he was providing instruction to an airplane rated private pilot. The flight instructor further reported that prior to takeoff he told the pilot receiving instruction, "I am going to do the takeoff, and you can feel the controls." As soon as the helicopter entered a hover after takeoff, the pilot receiving instruction "put in strong left input" with the cyclic and would not stop after repeated instruction to let go of the flight controls. Subsequently, the helicopter's left main skid touched down and the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its left side. The tail boom was substantially damaged. The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident Report, within the owner/ operator safety recommendation section, he will not allow student pilots to touch the flight controls below 500 feet above the ground, until he is comfortable with the student. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that during a helicopter "discovery flight" he was providing instruction to an airplane rated private pilot. The flight instructor further reported that prior to takeoff he told the pilot receiving instruction, "I am going to do the takeoff, and you can feel the controls." As soon as the helicopter entered a hover after takeoff, the pilot receiving instruction "put in strong left input" with the cyclic and would not stop after repeated instruction to let go of the flight controls. Subsequently, the helicopter's left main skid touched down and the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its left side. The tail boom was substantially damaged. The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident Report, within the owner/ operator safety recommendation section, he will not allow student pilots to touch the flight controls below 500 feet above the ground, until he is comfortable with the student. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N441JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N441JL-2019-07-08), registration cancelled 2019-07-08, S/N 0842, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 0842 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 4053.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: 702 Helicopter Inc. - Registered owner: 702 Helicopter Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2016 - Departed: VGT, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: VGT, Las Vegas, NV - Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 21; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review May 26, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 224.6 total, 118.6 in this make and model, 164.6 as pilot in command, 41.9 in the last 90 days, 24.1 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 68 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KVGT ## 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 20160602017889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160602017889A), Jun 2, 2016: Robinson Helicopter R44, North Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. On 02 June 2016, at approximately 0930 pacific daylight time (PDT), a single engine Robinson R44 helicopter, occupied with two persons impacted the ramp on its… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93317. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Flight Instructor) (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot Receiving Instruction) (item 3, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442523&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20Receiving%20Instruction)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 4, .PDF, 754 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.