# NTSB MIA94LA060: Robinson R-22, N525BW, Naples, FL, January 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1994, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Naples, FL
- Location: 26.1505° N, 81.7953° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Naples, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1505&lon=-81.7953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA060

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S DELAYED REACTION TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CYCLIC AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS AND HIS FAILURE TO RELEASE THE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, hover
  - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (contributing factor)
  - collective - improper use of, dual student (contributing factor)
  - relinquishing of control - not performed, dual student (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR DEMONSTRATED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION, THEN HE INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT PILOT TO EXECUTE THE MANUEVER. THE STUDENT PILOT ATTEMPTED THE HOVERING AUTOROTATION BUT OPENED THE THROTTLE INSTEAD OF CLOSING THE THROTTLE AS REQUIRED. THE INSTUCTOR PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL BUT THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT RELINQUISH CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP, ROTATED 360 DEGREES TO THE LEFT, STRUCK THE GROUND, THEN ROLLED OVER AND CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Factual narrative

On January 24, 1994, about 1220 eastern standard time, N525BW, a Robinson R-22 Beta, operated by London Helicopters Inc. experienced a rollover while hovering on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the instructor reported no injuries. The student pilot received minor injuries. The flight  originated about 30 minutes earlier.

The instructor pilot stated that they were practicing hovering autorotations and the student pilot executed the maneuver wrong. The student turned the throttle on instead of off, and then when requested would not release the flight controls. The right rear skid dug in the ground and the helicopter rolled over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N525BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N525BW-1997-11-08), registration cancelled 1997-11-08, S/N 2358 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2358
- Airframe hours: 189
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: London Helicoper Inc.
- Registered owner: Intrim Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1993, 89 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: APF, Naples Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 882 total, 149 in this make and model, 822 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APF

## 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 19940124001219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940124001219A), Jan 24, 1994: Robsin R22BETA, Naples, FL, Substantial damage. Practice autorations to hover. Student opened throttle instead close. Froze on control. Skid dug in. Rolled over.

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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