N83APBell 206B

On March 6, 2012, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B, N83AP, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a helicopter training area near Titusville, Florida. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and two non-certificated student pilots sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to a corporation and operated by Bristow Academy under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed and active. The local flight originated at Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida, at 0810.

According to the CFI, he was in the lead helicopter of a flight of four, conducting a check ride with the 2 students. The flight landed at Echo Training Area, where the students switched seats. During the next takeoff, with the CFI at the controls, the helicopter rolled to the right immediately as the collective was raised. He attempted to arrest the roll with opposite cyclic, however the helicopter continued to roll over and came to rest inverted. After the helicopter became inverted, he turned off the fuel valve in order to shut down the engine.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that the main rotor blades separated from the hub and the tail boom fractured. He also reported that the student in the right cockpit seat was still adjusting her anti-torque pedals with her feet as the CFI initiated the takeoff. The takeoff area was also adjacent to a line of trees.

The weather conditions at 0950 at Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida, included winds from 070 degrees at 28 knots, with gusts to 40 knots. TIX was located about 6 nautical miles northeast of the accident site.