NTSB Factual Report

On April 20, 2003, at 0900 central daylight time, a Robinson R-22 BETA helicopter, N2341Z, registered to and operated by Litchfield flying LTD, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was substantially damaged when it rolled over during takeoff from Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport (1F0), near Ardmore, Oklahoma. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot, who had a total of 49 hours in the accident helicopter, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he pulled the helicopter out of the hangar and faced it north into the light wind directly behind a Cessna 172 that was facing south. During lift off, the helicopter "suddenly moved forward." He then heard a "scraping sound," and the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its left side. The pilot also reported that, just as the helicopter lifted off, the engine of the Cessna was started. The ensueing propeller blast from the Cessna created a tailwind relative to the helicopter. The pilot did not expect the wind blast and was unable to control the helicopter.

An examination of the helicopter, by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that both main rotor blades, both tail rotor blades, and the tail boom sustained structural damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during liftoff. A contributing factor was the inadvertent encounter of propeller blast from the other airplane starting at the time of takeoff.