# Accident 19950508010879A: Robsin R22BETA, Toano, VA, May 8, 1995

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 8, 1995, 21:30 local time
- Place: Toano, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Final Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.3701° N, 76.7992° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3701&lon=-76.7992&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8311A, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8311A-2025-10-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22BETA
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC95FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95FA103) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950508010879A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

RETURNING AT NIGHT TO UNLIGHTED BOAT HELIPAD. DESCENDED INTO WATER 500FT SHORT. DROWNED. VICTIM NIGHT ILLUSION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC95FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95FA103), May 9, 1995: Robinson R-22 Beta (N8311A), Toano, VA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot misjudged altitude and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the landing area and collision with water. Contributing factors are inadequate helipad lighting and a dark night light…

## Other reports on N8311A (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20150213001099I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150213001099I), Feb 13, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (N8311A), Riverside, CA, Minor damage. Student pilot [privacy data omitted], was on his first solo flight, and was hovering over runway 16, in ral airport and almost lost full control, of helicopter…
- [Accident 19961214039419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961214039419A), Dec 14, 1996: Robsin R22BETA (N8311A), Lakeport, CA, Substantial damage. Hovering in ground effect. Student over controlled. CFI late to act. Main rotors hit. Plane rolled over.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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