Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near St. Petersburg, Florida, September 3, 2011
On September 3, 2011 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N7197W, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near St. Petersburg, Florida (St. Petersburg/Clearwater Int airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The commercial pilot's improper recovery from a practice autorotation, resulting in a tailboom strike and subsequent rollover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2011 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- St. Petersburg, Florida · St. Petersburg/Clearwater Int · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N7197W · no longer on the register · serial 3218
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Simulated/training event during maneuvering
- Tailstrike during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 411 hours in all; 245 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 2, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot (unmanned)
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,510 hours in all; 1,163 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,063 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 12, 2011; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Razor Blades Helicopter Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: PIE St. Petersburg FL at 7:00 pm
- Destination: PIE St. Petersburg FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 5,165 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from PIE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.