# NTSB GAA20CA002: Robinson R44, N4050X, Carlsbad, CA, October 2, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 2, 2019, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, CA - Coordinates: 33.128334, -117.279998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1283&lon=-117.2800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100373/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100373 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA002 ## Probable cause The student pilot's incorrect collective and cyclic applications during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a roll-over. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that she provided takeoff and landing training from and to a helicopter landing platform. During landing, the student pilot had control of the collective and the antitorque pedals, and the instructor maintained control of the cyclic. The instructor added that, during landing on the platform, "the student lowered the collective suddenly, and also pulled back up (on the collective) suddenly." Additionally, the student grabbed the cyclic and pulled aft when he increased the collective. The helicopter bounced on the platform and tilted backward. The helicopter rolled onto its right side, the instructor closed the throttle, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotor drive systems and the fuselage. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that, she provided takeoff and landing training from and to, a helicopter landing platform. During landing, the student pilot had control of the collective and the anti-torque pedals, and the flight instructor had maintained control of the cyclic. The flight instructor asserted that during landing to the platform, "the student lowered the collective suddenly, and also pulled back up (on the collective) suddenly as well." Additionally, the student grabbed the cyclic and pulled aft, when he increased the collective. The helicopter bounced on the platform and "tilted backwards." The helicopter started to roll to its right side, and the instructor closed the throttle. The helicopter rolled onto its right side and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotor drive systems and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N4050X (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R44 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 30058 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 38 - Engines: O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Civic Helicopter Co - Registered owner: Civic Helicopter Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 2019 - Departed: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Destination: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Airport: CRQ, Mc Clellan-Palomar - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 3, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,253 total, 938 in this make and model, 5,195 as pilot in command, 221 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 84 total, 34 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KCRQ ## 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 20191002018109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191002018109A), Oct 2, 2019: Robinson Helicopter R44, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. On 10/02/2019 at approximately 1345 a CFI and student pilot rolled helicopter N4050X over during practice landings to a towable landing pad. One successful… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100373. 8.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.