On February 19, 2019, a Robinson R22 BETA operated by Tampa Bay Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Clearwater, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's failure to maintain sufficient altitude over uneven terrain during a hover taxi, which resulted in ground contact and a subsequent dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A skid-equipped helicopter rolled onto its side during hover taxi after the right skid toe contacted uneven ground. The flight instructor was demonstrating a maneuver to an airplane-rated student. Substantial damage to fuselage and rotor systems.
Accident Details
A flight instructor and his airplane-rated student were conducting a training flight in a skid-equipped helicopter. The instructor intended to demonstrate a maneuver. He air taxied the helicopter to the departure end of the runway. While turning and hover taxiing over the grass area between the taxiway and the runway, the toe of the right skid contacted uneven ground. The helicopter pivoted around the skid toe and rolled onto its side.
Damage
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor systems.
Mechanical Condition
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Causes
Instructor/check pilotAltitude — Not attained/maintained
Other contributing factors
Contributed to outcome
Related events
Same aircraft family
20 Apr 2026 — ROBINSON R22
6 Feb 2026 — ROBINSON R22
2 Dec 2025 — ROBINSON R22
14 Oct 2025 — ROBINSON R22 BETA (ESCOLA DE AVIAÇÃO CIVIL ASAS ROTATIVAS LTDAb)