# NTSB GAA19CA141: Robinson R22, N512GS, Clearwater, FL, February 19, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 19, 2019, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.975833, -82.756385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9758&lon=-82.7564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99001/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99001 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA141 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain sufficient altitude over uneven terrain during a hover taxi, which resulted in ground contact and a subsequent dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 85 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); 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 According to the flight instructor in the skid-equipped helicopter, he was going to demonstrate a maneuver to his airplane-rated student. The instructor reported that he air taxied the helicopter to the departure end of the runway. He then slowed down the helicopter, and while turning and hover taxiing over the grassy area between the taxiway and the runway, the right skid's toe contacted the uneven ground. The helicopter pivoted around the toe and rolled onto its side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor systems. The instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor in the skid-equipped helicopter, he was going to demonstrate a maneuver to his airplane rated student. The instructor reported that he air taxied the helicopter to the departure end of the runway. He then slowed the helicopter down and while turning and hover taxiing over the grass area between the taxiway and the runway, the toe of the right skid contacted the uneven ground. The helicopter pivoted around the toe and rolled onto its side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor systems. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N512GS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N512GS-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N 2836, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 (BETA) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2836 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 7017.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 132 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tampa Bay Aviation - Registered owner: Clearwater Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2019 - Departed: CLW, Clearwater, FL - Destination: CLW, Clearwater, FL - Airport: CLW, Clearwater Air Park, runway 16, 4,108 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 897 total, 521 in this make and model, 789 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,232 total, 21 in this make and model, 1,126 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KPIE, 5 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 20190219010379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190219010379A), Feb 19, 2019: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. On February 19, 2019, about 1712 eastern standard time, a Robinson RV22 beta, N512GS, collided with terrain following an in-flight loss of control at… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99001. 3.8 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=40471221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471223&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.