# NTSB ATL84LA138: Robinson R22A, N8415X, Woodbridge, VA, April 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1984, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Woodbridge, VA
- Coordinates: 38.679813, -77.310905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6798&lon=-77.3109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA138

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - relinquishing of control - intentional, dual student (cause)
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - relinquishing of control - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause)
- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CFI STATED THAT WHILE HOVERING WITH A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT PILOT USING THE CYCLIC CONTROL, THE STUDENT PUSHED RAPIDLYFORWARD ON THE CYCLIC CONTROL. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL BUT THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8415X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8415X-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 0358, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22A
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0358
- Airframe hours: 488
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Northeast Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Cgf Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: W22, Woodbridge

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,176 total, 452 in this make and model, 916 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 17 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840403008579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840403008579A), Apr 3, 1984: Robsin R22, Woodbridge, VA, Substantial damage. Demo hovering. Student push forward on cylic. CFI tried recover. But helicopter struck a tree and crashed.

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.

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