NTSB Identification: BFO89LA071.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 39702.
Accident occurred Thursday, August 17, 1989 in MANASSAS, VA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/05/1990
Aircraft: ROBINSON R22, registration: N8557H
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

THIS WAS THE STUDENT'S 1ST FLT IN A HELICOPTER. THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) DEMONSTRATED A HOVER, THEN LET THE STUDENT TAKE CONTROL THE HELICOPTER, WHILE HE (THE CFI) FOLLOWED THRU LIGHTLY ON THE CONTROLS. THE CFI RPRTD THAT THE HELICOPTER MOVED TO THE LEFT & THE STUDENT CORRECTED BY APPLYING FULL RIGHT CYCLIC. THE CFI ATTEMPTED TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, BUT THE STUDENT OVERPOWERED HIM. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND & THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL BY THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO RELINQUISH CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER TO THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI). A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE STUDENT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

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