On April 21, 2007, a Robinson R22 BETA (registration N222MQ) operated by Utah Helicopter was involved in an aviation accident near Spanish Fork, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's improper use of the flight controls, which induced a dynamic rollover. Also causal was the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover during a practice hover autorotation after a hard touchdown and bounce. The CFI assumed control but the helicopter rolled onto its right side.
Accident Description
A helicopter performing practice hover autorotations experienced a dynamic rollover. The accident occurred during a training flight with a certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot.
Sequence of Events
The student successfully executed three hovering autorotations without incident. For the fourth and final autorotation of the flight, the student entered the maneuver properly. However, the student subsequently made several cyclic input changes, and the helicopter touched down on its left skid. The impact caused the helicopter to bounce back into the air. The student reacted by applying left pedal followed by an abrupt right forward cyclic movement. As a result, the helicopter drifted to the right and began to pivot around the front portion of the right skid. The CFI took control of the flight controls in an attempt to regain directional control, but the helicopter continued to roll over onto its right side.
Findings
The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact.