NTSB Report Robinson Helicopter Crash New York

NTSB Identification: NYC08CA140.
Robinson Helicopter Crash14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, March 17, 2008 in Montgomery, NY
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/30/2008
Aircraft: Robinson R44, registration: N3027Y
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.According to the student pilot, he conducted a training flight with a flight instructor, in the R44 helicopter, and then prepared for a solo flight in anticipation of his upcoming private pilot check ride. During liftoff, he began to correct for an anticipated “tail low” condition due to full fuel and only one person on board, by using “light” forward cyclic. The helicopter drifted forward toward fuel pumps and a light post, and the pilot “over controlled” the helicopter by moving the cyclic aft. The pilot stated that he reacted “a little late,” and drifted too close to the post. The main rotor struck the post, the fuselage spun, and the tail of the helicopter impacted the ground, before the helicopter came to rest on its skids.

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

The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff.