# NTSB ATL94LA094: Robinson R-22B, N54BA, Stone Mountain, GA, May 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1994, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Stone Mountain, GA - Coordinates: 33.810829, -84.129013 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8108&lon=-84.1290&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3381 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3381/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA094 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper vertical takeoff in that he allowed the helicopter to drift rearward, and his failure to maintain clearance from the wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - wire,transmission - vertical takeoff - improper, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, descent - emergency ## Analysis THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN LANDED IN A RESIDENTIAL CUL-DE-SAC. IT REMAINED PARKED THERE WHILE THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER ATE AT A NEARBY RESIDENCE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A TELEPHONE WIRE WAS LOCATED BEHIND, AND ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT. ON DEPARTURE, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE WIRE WHEN THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE TO BEGIN THE TRANSITION FROM A HOVER TO FORWARD FLIGHT. AFTER CONTACTING THE WIRE, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE BACK TO THE STREET. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, WHICH RESULTED IN SPREADING THE SKIDS AND BENDING THE HELICOPTER FRAME. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE TAIL ROTOR WAS MANGLED. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1994, about 1945 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22B, N54BA, collided with a telephone line during takeoff near Stone Mountain, Georgia. The helicopter was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, nor his passenger, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time. According to the pilot, the helicopter was landed on a street in a residential area. On departure from the landing site, the tail rotor contacted a telephone line which was located behind the helicopter, about 20 feet above the curb. The pilot said that the collision occurred when he lowered the nose of the helicopter to initiate the transition to forward flight. After the collision, directional problems were experienced with the helicopter and an autorotation was made back to the street, which resulted in a hard landing. A Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was not received from the operator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54BA), registered now, S/N 1888, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1888 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Beegle, Phillip H., Jr. - Registered owner: Great Southeastern Acft Leasin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,000 total, 800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PDK, 12 nm away ## Other investigations on N54BA (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 WPR12CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA117), Mar 8, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N54BA), Randle, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot exceeded the helicopter's performance, resulting in low rotor rpm and settling. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.