# Accident 20021212037829A: Robsin R22BETA, Suffolk, VA, December 12, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 12, 2002, 14:00 local time
- Place: Suffolk, VA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Sfl Autorotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.7169° N, 76.5703° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7169&lon=-76.5703&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9444Y, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9444Y-2005-11-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22BETA
- Reported engine: LYC O360*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 6,000 total, 650 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC03LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA029) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021212037829A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ENROUTE AT APPROXIMATELY 600AGL, FROM HAMPTON ROADS (PVG) TO NEWPORT NEWS (PHF), HE DECIDED TO DEMONSTRATE TO HIS PASSENGER AN AUTOROTATION WITH A POWER RECOVERY. HE ELECTED TO PERFORM THE MANEUVER OVER SLEEPY HOLE GOLF COURSE IN SUFFOLK, VA. DURING THE RECOVERY PHASE OF THE MANUEVER, THE TAIL SKID AND TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE EDGE OF THE DRIVING RANGE TEE BOX SEPARATING THE TAIL BOOM FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED DOWN THE SIDE OF THE TEE BOX COMING TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE FACING 180 DEGREES TO THE ORIGINAL FLIGHT PATH. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BEYOND REPAIR.

## 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 NYC03LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA029), Dec 12, 2002: Robinson R-22 (N9444Y), Suffolk, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while landing, which resulted in a collision with an embankment.

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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