Event LAX06CA250

Factual narrative

On July 28, 2006, about 2310 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22B, N475SH, collided with terrain and rolled over at Chino Airport, Chino, California. Silver State Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot sustained minor injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Chino about 2300. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight instructor submitted a written report. The purpose of the instructional flight was to practice hover taxi procedures, radio communications, and traffic pattern operations. The CFI taxied the helicopter in a hover down taxiway AA to taxiway D, and then he allowed the student to take control of the helicopter. The student pilot hover taxied east on taxiway D to taxiway G. At the intersection of D and G, the CFI asked the student to do a 90-degree pedal turn to the right. The student executed the pedal turn, but he began to lose control of the helicopter as he encountered a crosswind from the right. The helicopter yawed to the left and drifted into the run-up area at the approach end of runway 26R. The student asked the instructor "do you have this" and the instructor took control of the helicopter. The CFI applied left pedal, causing the yaw to progress into a spin. He thought that he had not applied enough pedal, because the helicopter continued to spin. The CFI then applied full left petal, further increasing the spin. At this point he realized his mistake, but before he could apply right pedal, the helicopter hit the ground and rolled onto its left side, coming to rest in the run-up area for 26R. The student and instructor exited the helicopter through the right side door. The CFI stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The Automated Surface Observation System located at Chino Airport stated that the winds at 2253 were from 240 degrees at 8 knots. The helicopter collided with the ground and rolled over following a loss of directional control while hovering. The student pilot performed a 90-degree pedal turn to the right. As he completed the turn he encountered a right crosswind and began to lose control of the helicopter. The helicopter yawed to the left and drifted into a run-up area. The student asked the certified flight instructor (CFI) to take control. The CFI applied left pedal, causing the left yaw to progress into a spin. Before he realized his mistake and made a corrective input, the helicopter hit the ground and rolled onto its left side. The CFI stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The Automated Surface Observation System located at the airport reported that the winds were from 240 degrees at 8 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12