# NTSB BFO87FA022: Robinson R22, N9073Y, Myersville, MD, February 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1987, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Myersville, MD
- Coordinates: 39.500991, -77.560508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5010&lon=-77.5605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA022

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED COMMERCIAL PILOT DEPARTED HGR IN A ROBINSON HELICOPTER THAT WAS NOT EQUIPPED TO FLY IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS. THE PILOT HAD NOT LOGGED ANY INSTRUMENT TIME AND ELECTED TO DEPART IN IFR CONDITIONS UNDER A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE. ATC TRANSCRIPTS OF THE HGR TOWER REVEALED THAT THE PILOT INTENDED TO FLY ALONG INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS LEADING BACK TO THE WASHINGTON AREA. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF INTERSTATE 70 AT A POINT WHERE IT TURNED SOUTH TO GO OVER A RIDGELINE. A WEATHER STUDY INDICATED THAT MOUNTAIN RIDGES IN THE AREA WOULD HAVE BEEN OBSCURED BY FOG AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIGHT AND POSSIBLY MODERATE RIME ICING AT LOW ALTITUDES PARTICULARLY ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN RIDGES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9073Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9073Y-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 0230, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- 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: 0230
- Airframe hours: 2323
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Steven Phillips Helicopters
- Registered owner: Christopher K Sanders
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 21, 1986, 61 hours before
- Departed: HGR, HAGERSTOWN, MD
- Destination: W32, CLINTON, MD
- Airport: HGR, Washington County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 190 total, 190 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HGR, 12 nm away

## Other investigations on N9073Y (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 MKC84FPG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FPG01), Aug 21, 1984: Robinson R22 (N9073Y), Frenchman'Bayou, AR, substantial damage

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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