NTSB Factual Report

On January 27, 2001, at about 1415 central standard time, a Robinson R22, N128PH, registered to Vortex Helicopters, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 flight crashed while picking up to a hover in the vicinity of Long Beach, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The CFI stated he was picking the helicopter up to a hover with the student pilot following him through on the flight controls. The helicopter started to drift to the left. He attempted to correct the drift with right cyclic input, however the student pilot froze on the flight controls. He instructed the student pilot to get off the controls with negative results. The helicopter pitched up causing the tailrotor blades to collide with the ground resulting in a rapid yaw to the right. The helicopter continued to roll and rolled over on its right side.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to relinquish the flight controls while the CFI was demonstrating a takeoff to a hover. This resulted in an in-flight loss of directional control, in-flight collision with terrain, and subsequent roll over.