# Accident 20020604010559A: Robsin R22, Tunica, MS, June 4, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 4, 2002, 18:30 local time
- Place: Tunica, MS
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.6774° N, 90.3789° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6774&lon=-90.3789&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8380H, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8380H-2004-03-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 (registry code 7640102, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22
- Reported engine: LYC O320B2C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,000 total, 350 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL02LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA119) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020604010559A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT WAS SURVEYING RICE FIELD AND DURING LOW HOVER WITH SOME SIDE MOVEMENT THE RIGHT SKID STRUCK A DIRT BERM AND ROLLED OVER COMING TO REST ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE TAIL BOOM WAS DETACHED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, WITH DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND ENGINE CRADLE FRAME WITH WRINKLING ON OUTER LEFT SIDE. (.19) ON JUNE 4, 2002, AT 1830 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, A ROBINSON R-22 HELICOPTER, N8380H, REGISTERED TO TRI-M AGRONOMICS AND OPERATED BY THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AS THE PILOT HOVERED IN A RICE FIELD NEAR TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED. VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI, AT AN UNDETERMINED TIME. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT, AS HE HOVERED OVER THE RICE FIELD, THE RIGHT SKID COLLIDED WITH A BERM, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE HELICOPTER WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.                                                                                                                                          (.4) ON JUNE 4, 2002, AT 1830 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, A ROBINSON R-22 HELICOPTER, N8380H, REGISTERED TO TRI-M AGRONOMICS AND OPERATED BY THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AS THE PILOT HOVERED IN A RICE FIELD NEAR TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED. VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI, AT 1750. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT, AS HE HOVERED OVER THE RICE FIELD, THE RIGHT SKID COLLIDED WITH A BERM, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT SAID HE "SHOULD HAVE SET THE AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND BEFORE DIVERTING MY ATTENTION ELSEWHERE." EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM, TAIL BOOM AND TAIL ROTOR, AND THE MAIN CABIN. THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CRADLE AND MAST ATTACHMENT AREAS. DISTORTION WAS NOTED ON THE OUTER SKIN PANELS OF THE HELICOPTER JUST BEHIND THE COCKPIT AREA ON BOTH SIDES AND AFT OF THE MAIN ROTOR AREA. T HE TAIL BOOM WAS SEVERED FROM THE HELICOPTER. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER FAILED TO REVEAL ANY ABNORMALITIES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## 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 ATL02LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA119), Jun 4, 2002: Robinson R-22 (N8380H), Tunica, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper control of cyclic, resulting in impact with terrain and a subsequent dynamic rollover.

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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