Accident Robinson R22 Beta N2580E, Sunday 22 April 1990

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Date:	Sunday 22 April 1990
Time:	13:45 LT
Type:	Robinson R22 Beta
Owner/operator:	Steven Phillips Aviation
Registration:	N2580E
MSN:	0636
Year of manufacture:	1987
Total airframe hrs:	2204 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360-J2A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Prnc Frederick, MD - United States of America
Phase:	Standing
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
AFTER THE PASSENGER BOARDED THE HELICOPTER, THE PLT DEPLANED WITH THE ENG IDLING, SO HE COULD REMOVE THE PASSENGER DOOR. HE ENGAGED THE FRICTION LOCK ON THE COLLECTIVE & TOLD THE PASSENGER, WHO WAS NOT A PLT, TO KEEP THE CYCLIC CENTERED. AS THE PLT WAS REMOVING THE PASSENGER DOOR, HE HEARD THE ENG SOUND CHANGE. THE HELICOPTER THEN LIFTED OFF ABOUT 3 FT & SPUN RIGHT UNTIL THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS RPRTD.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE OR ASSURING THE HELICOPTER WAS PROPERLY ATTENDED,WHEN HE DEPLANED.

Accident investigation: