On January 11, 2007, a Robinson R22 BETA (registration N8050Z) operated by Elite Flying & Management Services, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Lakeland, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in an inadvertent dynamic rollover during landing. A factor associated with the accident was the inadvertent dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter rolled onto its left side during a slope landing training flight. The flight instructor and student pilot exited through the right door. No mechanical failure was reported.
Accident Summary
During a local training flight, a certificated flight instructor (CFI) attempted to demonstrate a slope landing maneuver. The helicopter touched down on an upslope with the left skid while facing into the wind. As the CFI began lowering the right skid, he determined the slope was too steep and halted the descent. Upon increasing collective pitch to recover, the rear portion of the left skid became entangled in grass, causing the helicopter to roll over to the left. The aircraft came to rest on its left side. Both the CFI and the student pilot evacuated through the right door.
Pilot Statements
The CFI reported that he had intended to demonstrate a slope landing and that no mechanical failure or malfunction occurred with the helicopter or any of its systems. The student pilot stated that the left skid was in contact with the ground while the right skid remained level in a hover, and that the craft pulled hard to the left before landing on its left side.
Investigation Findings
The investigation did not identify any preexisting mechanical issues with the helicopter. The rollover resulted from the left skid catching in the grass during the slope landing attempt. No determination was made regarding the slope angle or other environmental factors.