Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors in the accident were variable wind conditions, and soft/uneven terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The accident flight, in a Robinson R-22B helicopter, was the student pilot's second solo flight. According to the pilot, PCM was only "about five minutes" flying time from LAL, and that the only weather information he obtained was from the LAL ATIS. As he approached the PCM runway 28 threshold, he pulled up on the collective to stop the forward travel. At the same time, he pushed on the left pedal, but the helicopter began to rotate to the right. He then applied full left pedal, but was unsuccessful at stopping the rotation. After approximately six to seven revolutions, the pilot executed an autorotation. The helicopter "landed softly" but continued to rotate. The right skid caught in the dirt, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The pilot stated that just after he exited the helicopter, the wind increased and a heavy rain began. The 1325 PCM weather observation recorded the wind from 280 degrees at 6 knots, with gusts to 14 knots, and the 1345 observation recorded the wind from 290 degrees at 7 knots, with no gusts. The pilot reported he did not experience any preimpact failures or malfunctions with the helicopter.
Source record
Factual narrative
The accident flight, in a Robinson R-22B helicopter, was the student pilot's second solo flight. The accident occurred at approximately 1345 eastern daylight time while landing at Plant City Municipal Airport (PCM), Plant City, Florida, after a flight from the pilot's home base of Lakeland Linder Regional airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida. According to the pilot, PCM was only "about five minutes" flying time from LAL, and that the only weather information he obtained was from the LAL ATIS. As he approached the PCM runway 28 threshold, he pulled up on the collective to stop the forward travel. At the same time, he pushed on the left pedal, but the helicopter began to rotate to the right. He then applied full left pedal, but was unsuccessful at stopping the rotation. After approximately six to seven revolutions, the pilot executed an autorotation. The helicopter "landed softly" but continued to rotate. The right skid caught in the dirt, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The pilot stated that just after he exited the helicopter, the wind increased and a heavy rain began. The 1325 PCM weather observation recorded the wind from 280 degrees at 6 knots, with gusts to 14 knots, and the 1345 observation recorded the wind from 290 degrees at 7 knots, with no gusts. The pilot reported he did not experience any preimpact failures or malfunctions with the helicopter.