Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the helicopter stated that he was preparing to lift off into a hover and then depart from the airport. As he raised the collective, the helicopter became light on the skids, and rolled to the right and then to the left. The main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and tail boom. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter. He further reported 315 hours of total flight experience, which included 51 hours in helicopters, all in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA194 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 17, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Petersburg, West Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Grant County Airport (W99)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson R44
- N-number
- N555FP
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.