Robinson R22 N511HE

Summary

On 15 June 2019 at about 18:20 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N511HE, operated by Helicopter Experts Inc, was involved in an accident near San Antonio, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 June 2019 at 18:20

Classification

Accident

Location

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Bulverde Airpark (1T8)

Coordinates

29.7392, -98.4514

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N511HE

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Helicopter Experts Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Antonio → San Antonio

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA347

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot receiving instruction's improper cyclic control input during landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover, and the flight instructor's improper decision to practice landings in tall grass in gusting wind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that, while the pilot receiving instruction was practicing "slope landings" in the tall grass adjacent to an asphalt runway, he was shadowing the flight controls. He added that the pilot moved the cyclic left. The instructor was unable to correct, and the helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover and impacted terrain. As a recommendation, the instructor reported that the accident could have been prevented by not practicing slope landings in tall grass. He added that the helicopter contacted the terrain sooner than expected due to the tall grass. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station located about 12 miles south of the accident site reported that, about 29 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 170° at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 9 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 180° at 9 knots. The pilot was landing to the south.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.