# NTSB MIA01LA064: Robinson R22, N128PH, Long Beach, MS, January 27, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 2001, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, MS
- Coordinates: 30.360939, -89.16056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3609&lon=-89.1606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Jackson FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA064

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to relinquish the flight controls while the CFI was demonstrating a takeoff to a hover. This resulted in an in-flight loss of directional control, in-flight collision with terrain, and subsequent roll over.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - relinquishing of control - not complied with, dual student (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, flightcrew
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ground
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

The CFI picked the helicopter up to a hover with a student pilot following him through on the flight controls. The helicopter started to drift to the left and the CFI applied right cyclic input, however the student pilot froze on the flight controls. The CFI instructed the student pilot to get off the controls with negative response. The helicopter pitched up and the tailrotor blades collided with the ground. The helicopter continued to roll to the right and rolled over on its right side.

## Factual narrative

On January 27, 2001, at about 1415 central standard time, a Robinson R22, N128PH, registered to Vortex Helicopters, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 flight crashed while picking up to a hover in the vicinity of Long Beach, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The CFI stated he was picking the helicopter up to a hover with the student pilot following him through on the flight controls. The helicopter started to drift to the left. He attempted to correct the drift with right cyclic input, however the student pilot froze on the flight controls. He instructed the student pilot to get off the controls with negative results. The helicopter pitched up causing the tailrotor blades to collide with the ground resulting in a rapid yaw to the right. The helicopter continued to roll and rolled over on its right side.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N128PH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N128PH-2001-04-14), registration cancelled 2001-04-14, S/N 2242 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2242
- Airframe hours: 5624
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vortex Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2001, 60 hours before
- Departed: 3MS9, Long Beach, MS
- Airport: 3MS9, Vortex Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 27, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 222 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 37; injuries: none; seat: rear

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: GPT

## 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 20010127000359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010127000359A), Jan 27, 2001: Robsin R22BETA, Long Beach, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Student froze on the controls on takeoff. A/c rolled over on the right side. (.4)on January 27, 2001, at about 1415 central standard time, a Robinson…

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.

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