- Date
- October 17, 2000, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place
- Dellwood, FL
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N621DMRobinson R-22 Beta
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 2, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 20001017015299A
- Case key
- 50474
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to clear the area, and his attempted takeoff while the helicopter's right skid was entangled with vines, which resulted in inadvertent dynamic rollover and substantial damage to the aircraft.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that while attempting to takeoff from a field, the helicopter's right skid became entangled in vines, which induced dynamic rollover. According to the pilot, the aircraft rolled on its right side, and incurred substantial damage. The pilot said that prior to the accident, there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft, or any on its systems.
Factual narrative
On October 17, 2000, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N621DM, registered to and operated by Skycopters Incorporated, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 aerial observation flight, experienced dynamic rollover during takeoff from a field in Dellwood, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that his headset came off in flight, and he had landed in a field to secure the headset. The pilot further stated that while attempting to takeoff from the field, and upon transitioning from hover to takeoff, the helicopter's right skid became entangled in vines hidden in the undergrowth. The pilot said that the skid's entanglement with the vines while he was attempting the takeoff induced dynamic rollover on to the aircraft's right side. He said that when the aircraft rolled over, the main and tail rotor systems separated from the aircraft, and the tail boom broke off. According to the pilot, prior to the accident, there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft, or any on its systems.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N621DM
- Reported as
- Robinson R-22 Beta
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2776
- Airframe hours
- 521
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-J2A, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Skycopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 1, 2000 · 21 hours before
- Departed
- MAI · Marianna, FL
- Destination
- 54J · FL
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 48
- Certificate
- Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter, Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 3,500 total · 250 in this make and model · 3,300 as pilot in command · 200 in the last 90 days · 60 in the last 30 days · 8 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Temperature
- 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MAI
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.