No fatalities

27 Jul 2018: Robinson R44 — Airmen Testing And Training Inc Dba — Lantana, FL

Lantana, FL, United States

On 27 Jul 2018, a Robinson R44 Undesignat operated by Airmen Testing And Training Inc Dba was involved in an aviation accident near Lantana, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During landing approach, a student pilot overcorrected, causing the helicopter to roll onto its side. The instructor reported no mechanical failures.

Accident Details

A helicopter instructor reported that during an approach to land, approximately five feet above the ground, the student pilot overcorrected and moved the cyclic control "back hard and slightly right." This action caused the right rear skid to contact the ground, and the helicopter subsequently rolled to the right. The main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its right side.

Pilot Statements

The student pilot reported that he believed the skid strike and unusual attitude were caused by his inexperience. The flight instructor stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Damage

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades, the fuselage, and the tail boom.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pitch control — Not attained/maintainedStudent/instructed pilot

Other contributing factors

Instructor/check pilot