On September 23, 2000, a Robinson R-22B (registration N7183X) was involved in an aviation accident near Tomball, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's abrupt lowering of the collective. Factors were the student pilot's lack of experience in helicopters and the CFI's delayed remedial action. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter rolled onto its right side during a 3-foot hover after the student pilot abruptly lowered the collective, causing the right skid to contact the ground. The tail boom and main rotor drive system were destroyed, and the cabin was substantially damaged. The student had 4 hours of helicopter instruction and held airplane ratings.
Accident Details
According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), the helicopter was in a 3-foot hover with the student pilot on the controls. The aircraft began to drift slightly to the right. As the CFI started to apply left cyclic to correct, the student abruptly lowered the collective. Subsequently, the right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over to the right. A ground impression corresponding to the right skid was found after the accident.
Aircraft Damage
The helicopter's tail boom and main rotor drive system were destroyed, and the cabin was substantially damaged.
Pilot Information
The student pilot had received about 4 hours of helicopter instruction at the time of the accident. He held a commercial airman's certificate with single- and multi-engine airplane ratings and was a certified flight instructor for single- and multi-engine airplanes.