ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Hemphill, TX — December 22, 2010
Event Information
| Date | December 22, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN11CA126 |
| Event ID | 20101223X93354 |
| Location | Hemphill, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 31.23528, -93.68777 |
| Airport | Private field |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY |
| Model | R44 II |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 2 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 2 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot’s improper decision to carry an unauthorized passenger and the passenger’s loss of control of the helicopter during take-off.
Full Narrative
According to a telephone interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the helicopter’s owner, who held a student pilot certificate, flew with a passenger from a local airport to a lake house. Upon departure from the lake house residence, the passenger was at the controls of the helicopter. As the helicopter started to lift off from the ground, it made a sharp turn to the right. The student pilot added that he was unable to take the controls from the passenger and regain control of the helicopter. The helicopter’s tailrotor struck the ground and subsequently rolled left and into the lake. The FAA inspector stated that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, main and tailrotor blades.
A completed copy of NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident Report, was not submitted by the student pilot as requested.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.