# NTSB MIA07CA021: Robinson R22, N2302A, Lakeland, FL, November 21, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 21, 2006, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.988889, -82.018608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9889&lon=-82.0186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 64920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64920/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA021 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff resulting in a roll over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, hover - in ground effect - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that he was giving demo discovery flights. He landed, the first passenger got out, and the second passenger got into the helicopter and buckled up. As the CFI started to takeoff, the helicopter came off the ground about 2 inches and rolled to the left. As it began to roll, he put the collective down and rolled the throttle off. The cyclic consistently went to the left even though he was trying to pull it back to the right and the helicopter would not move to the right. The helicopter continued the left roll until contacting the ground, damaging the skids, rotor blades, and tail boom. The responding FAA inspector stated that the certified flight instructor said the helicopter was used in a Title 14 CFR part 61 flight school, which also gives rides to those who wanted the experience of flying in a helicopter. During the accident flight, he picked the aircraft up to a hover and felt the aircraft moving to the left. He then asked the passenger if she was pushing the cyclic left and her response was no. The passenger stated to the FAA inspector, when interviewed, that her left leg was not near enough to the center post of the cyclic to touch it and the pilot (flight instructor) didn't say anything during the takeoff. She added that the pilot had both hands on the stick on his left (collective) and he grabbed the control (cyclic) as the helicopter lifted off the ground. Cyclic, collective and tail rotor control continuity was established by the FAA inspector during a post accident examination of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 2006, about 1510 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22, N2302A, registered to an individual and operated by Elite Flying & Management Service, Inc., rolled over at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airline transport-rated pilot/certified flight instructor and passenger reported minor injuries, and the helicopter incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time. The certified flight instructor stated that he was giving demo discovery flights. He had just landed. The first passenger got out. The second passenger got into the helicopter and buckled up. He started to depart. The helicopter came off of the ground about 2 inches, rolled to the left and as it began to roll, he put the collective down and rolled the throttle off. Cyclic consistently went to the left even though he was trying to pull it back to the right. The helicopter would not move to the right. The helicopter continued the left roll until contacting the ground, damaging the skids, rotor blades, and tail boom. The responding FAA inspector stated that the certified flight instructor said the helicopter was used in a Title 14 CFR part 61 flight school, which also gives rides to those who wanted the experience of flying in a helicopter. During the accident flight, he picked the aircraft up to a hover and felt the aircraft moving to the left. He then asked the passenger if she was pushing the cyclic left and her response was no. The passenger stated to the FAA inspector, when interviewed, that her left leg was not near enough to the center post of the cyclic to touch it and the pilot (flight instructor) didn't say anything during the take off. She added that the pilot had both hands on the stick on his left (collective) and he grabbed the control (cyclic) as the helicopter lifted off the ground. Cyclic, collective and tail rotor control continuity was established by the FAA inspector during a post accident examination of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2302A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2302A), registered now, S/N 1903, built 1991 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1903 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Elite Flying & Management Services Inc. - Registered owner: Matthew L Spitzer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KLAL, Lakeland, FL - Airport: KLAL, Lakeland ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 4,500 total, 80 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KLAL ## 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 20061121031179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061121031179A), Nov 21, 2006: Robsin R22BETA, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Inspector's statement: I arrived at the Lakeland airport around 1620 and found N2302A, a Robinson R-22 beta helicopter, lying on its left side. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N2302A (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX91LA407](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA407), Sep 26, 1991: Robinson R-22 (N2302A), Livermore, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: 1) INCORRECT CONTROL INPUT BY THE STUDENT PILOT AND 2) THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF HIS STUDENT. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS. 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.