# NTSB GAA20CA060: Robinson R22, N8560A, Smoketown, PA, November 4, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 4, 2019, 11:19 local (16:19 UTC) - Place: Smoketown, PA - Coordinates: 40.041667, -76.201942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0417&lon=-76.2019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - 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): 100536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100536/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100536 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA060 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper cyclic input while hovering and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he lifted off in the helicopter and ascended to between about 3 and 4 ft above the grassy field north of the runway to show the student pilot how to hover, and while having positive control of the collective and antitorque pedal, he gave the cyclic control to the student. While the instructor was "guarding" the cyclic, the student applied right cyclic. Subsequently, the helicopter descended, and the right skid contacted the ground. The instructor applied left cyclic, but the helicopter dynamically rolled over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system and horizontal stabilizer. 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 reported that he was providing a discovery flight to a potential student. He completed a cruise flight and landed the helicopter to show the student how to hover. He lifted the helicopter to 3 to 4 ft above the grassy field north of the runway, and while having positive controls of the collective and anti-torque pedal, he gave the cyclic control to the student. While the instructor was "guarding" the cyclic, the student applied right cyclic and the helicopter descended, and the right skid contacted the ground. The instructor applied left cyclic, but the helicopter dynamically rolled over and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system and horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8560A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8560A-2020-03-05), registration cancelled 2020-03-05, S/N 0474 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 (ALPHA) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0474 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 10410.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-B2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Smoketown Helicopters LLC - Registered owner: Smoketown Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 6, 2019 - Departed: S37, Smoketown, PA - Destination: S37, Smoketown, PA - Airport: S37, Smoketown - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point - Student pilot; age 44; injuries: none; medical: unknown; seat: right; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 160° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: KLNS, 6 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 20191104018819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191104018819A), Nov 4, 2019: Robinson Helicopter Company R22, Smoketown, PA, Substantial damage. The certified flight instructor had been at work approximately 4 hours starting at 7:00 am before the accident flight, performing preflight and ground… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100536. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 Page 3 (item 1, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480845&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Page%203-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Interview with Flight Instructor (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480846&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Interview%20with%20Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480847&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.