Robinson R22 N786SH

Summary

On 1 March 2022 at about 16:20 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N786SH, operated by Fly For Fun Aircraft LLC, was involved in an accident near Fallston, Maryland, 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

1 March 2022 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Fallston, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Fallston Airport (W42)

Coordinates

39.5013, -76.4113

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N786SH

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Fly For Fun Aircraft LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Baltimore → Fallston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22LA140

1 person had minor injuries.

The student pilot's unstabilized hover, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student and his delayed remedial action.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and his student were performing maneuvers as part of a flight lesson. About 40 minutes into the flight, while attempting a left pedal turn, the helicopter descended just enough to touch the left rear skid, which surprised the student, who then added right lateral cyclic control. The helicopter’s right skid dug in the ground, and the helicopter rolled over on to its right side, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor blades. The helicopter manufacturer’s flight maneuvers guide advised that a 5-foot hover should be used for all taxi and hover operations, and a minimum 5-foot hover was the policy of the flight school. After the accident, the flight school had discussions with all their helicopter instructors to emphasize the need to maintain proper height above the ground, the need to closely guard the controls while instructing, and the need for improved awareness of the capabilities and experience of the students.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.