Introduction
On May 1, 2008, at approximately 1830 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter, registration N331MD, collided with terrain near Prescott, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by Guidance Helicopters, Inc., under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) sustained serious injuries, and the student pilot sustained minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage due to a post-crash fire.
Flight Details
The local instructional flight departed Prescott around 1800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The CFI reported that this was his first instructional flight with this student. They conducted a preflight inspection together, then started the engine and departed northwest for the practice area. Once the student had a general understanding of the controls, they performed an approach to a tire that terminated in a hover. During the hover, the CFI allowed the student to manipulate the controls increasingly. The CFI had set up the helicopter for a slight right quartering headwind to compensate for translating tendencies.
Accident Sequence
According to the CFI's written report, during the hover, the helicopter exhibited pendulum action commonly observed with new students learning to hover. During one of the right lateral oscillations, the helicopter unexpectedly lost altitude. The right skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. Within seconds, a fire erupted. Both pilots exited the helicopter immediately.
Post-Accident Statements
The CFI stated that the helicopter and engine experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. He also noted that he might have prevented the accident by maintaining a greater skid height while instructing, by stopping the lateral and aft movement sooner, by staying on the controls longer to give the student more time to become familiar with them, or by lowering the collective immediately to prevent the rollover.