No fatalities

2 Oct 2019: ROBINSON R44 — CIVIC HELICOPTER CO — Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad, CA, United States

On 2 Oct 2019, a ROBINSON R44 operated by CIVIC HELICOPTER CO was involved in an aviation accident near Carlsbad, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's incorrect collective and cyclic applications during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a roll-over. 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

A flight instructor reported that a student pilot's abrupt collective inputs and cyclic grab caused a helicopter to bounce, tilt backward, and roll onto its right side during landing training on a platform.

Accident Details

A flight instructor reported that she was providing takeoff and landing training from and to a helicopter landing platform. During the landing, the student pilot had control of the collective and anti-torque pedals, while the flight instructor maintained control of the cyclic.

Sequence of Events

The flight instructor stated that during landing to the platform, "the student lowered the collective suddenly, and also pulled back up (on the collective) suddenly as well." Additionally, the student grabbed the cyclic and pulled aft when he increased the collective. The helicopter bounced on the platform and "tilted backwards." The helicopter then started to roll to its right side, and the instructor closed the throttle. The helicopter rolled onto its right side, and the main rotor blades struck the ground.

Damage

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotor drive systems and the fuselage.

Additional Information

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotInstructor/check pilotIncorrect use/operationYaw control — Not attained/maintained