Accident Details
On December 19, 2019, at approximately 1510 central standard time, a Robinson R22 helicopter impacted the ground during takeoff from Beeville Municipal Airport (BEA) in Beeville, Texas. The solo student pilot was not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage, tailboom, and empennage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Prestige Air Worldwide, LLC, doing business as Ace High Helos, and was conducting an instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The intended flight was to remain in the traffic pattern at BEA.
Flight Instructor Observations
The student pilot had successfully flown a solo flight in the same helicopter the previous day. The certificated flight instructor reported that after three takeoffs, three landings, and ground-effect hover work, he felt the student was prepared for another solo flight. The instructor exited the helicopter and positioned himself to observe. Before leaving, he explained to the student that the helicopter would "pick up" differently without his body weight, similar to the prior solo flight. The student acknowledged understanding. The instructor watched as the helicopter took off from the dry asphalt but noted it was "sliding back and right" as it rose.
Dynamic Rollover Sequence
The right rear skid tube contacted the ground, and the student pilot did not correct for the contact. The helicopter entered a dynamic rollover sequence, during which the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. The student pilot performed an emergency shutdown and exited without further incident. The instructor reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine.
Dynamic Rollover Characteristics
Robinson Helicopter Company's Safety Notice SN-9 defines dynamic rollover as occurring when landing gear contacts a fixed object, forcing the aircraft to pivot about that object. Once started, dynamic rollover cannot be stopped by cyclic alone; quickly reducing collective is the most effective corrective action. The instructor noted that the takeoff was from a solid asphalt surface with no known pivot points. The wind was from 120 degrees at 8 knots, and the helicopter was positioned into the wind. The flight instructor reported that with one occupant, the R22 typically lifts off with the skid toes first. The Flight Training Guide (FTG) discusses takeoff characteristics for two occupants but not for a single occupant. After discussions with the NTSB, Robinson agreed to incorporate single-occupant takeoff information in the next FTG edition.