- Date
- June 4, 2002, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place
- Tunica, MS
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N8380HRobinson R-22
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 20, 2002
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Jackson FSDO
- FAA report
- 20020604010559A
- Case key
- 54876
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper control of cyclic, resulting in impact with terrain and a subsequent dynamic rollover.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
A Robinson R-22 helicopter collided with the ground as the pilot hovered over a rice field. The pilot reported that his attention was diverted, and the right skid collided with a berm, causing the helicopter to roll over. Examination of the helicopter failed to reveal any abnormalities or malfunctions.
Factual narrative
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. The tail boom was severed from the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter failed to reveal any abnormalities or malfunctions.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8380H
- Reported as
- Robinson R-22
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 0325
- Airframe hours
- 3,795
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-B2C, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 21, 2002 · 48.5 hours before
- Departed
- Tunica, MA
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 63
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Last flight review
- May 2, 2002
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 1,172 total · 227 in this make and model · 779 as pilot in command · 17 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility
- 180 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.87 inHg
- Observed at
- MEM, 30 nm away
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2002, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 696 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.