Probable cause
The flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while correcting for the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter.
NTSB analysis
While practicing low-level hovering during a training flight, the student, who had 2 hours of total flight time, was unable to maintain directional control. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and applied control inputs to arrest the helicopter’s student-induced movement. As the helicopter began to move in the desired direction, the left skid contacted the terrain, and the helicopter rolled over, coming to rest on its left side, which resulted in substantial damage to the main and tail rotor blades, tail cone, and fuselage. According to the instructor, there was no indication of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA405 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 7, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lake Newman, Washington
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA
- N-number
- N212SH
- 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.