Bell 206B N83AP accident near Titusville, Florida

Probable cause

The flight instructor's attempted takeoff in gusting wind conditions while the student pilot was adjusting her anti-torque pedals, which resulted in a dynamic rollover event.

NTSB analysis

After landing the helicopter at a local training area so two students could switch seats, the flight instructor initiated a takeoff. The wind was 28 knots, gusting up to 40 knots, and the takeoff area was adjacent to a line of trees. When the flight instructor raised the collective, the helicopter immediately rolled to the right. The instructor attempted to stop the roll with opposite cyclic; however, this was unsuccessful and the helicopter came to rest inverted. The instructor shut down the engine, and he and the students exited the helicopter. Postaccident examination revealed that the student in the right cockpit seat was still adjusting her anti-torque pedals when the takeoff began. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The accident sequence was consistent with a "dynamic rollover" scenario.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12LA210 for the full record.