Probable cause
The commercial pilot's improper recovery from a practice autorotation, resulting in a tailboom strike and subsequent rollover.
NTSB analysis
According to the commercial pilot, he was receiving a checkride to become a flight instructor. During a full stop autorotation practice, as the pilot began a slow flare to slow the helicopter, the helicopter ballooned, he lost control of the helicopter, and it pitched up to the left. During an attempt to regain control of the helicopter, the tailboom struck the ground, and the helicopter rolled over. According to the designated pilot examiner giving the checkride, it was the commercial pilot's third checkride attempt. The pilot's previous checkrides resulted in an unsatisfactory performance and termination of the evaluation due to the pilot’s slow reaction times.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11LA481 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 3, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Nearest airport
- St. Petersburg/Clearwater Int (PIE)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA
- N-number
- N7197W
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.