# NTSB BFO87LA005: Robinson R22B, N24684, Harborton, VA, October 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1986, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Harborton, VA
- Coordinates: 37.660003, -75.840667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6600&lon=-75.8407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN APCH TO LAND, THE PLT EXPEREINCED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AND THE ACFT ROTATED TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRSPEED WAS REPORTED AS 30 MPH WITH A DESCENT RATE OF 150 FPM AND THE ACFT WAS LESS THAN 50 FT AGL. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED TO A COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT LOWERING THE COLLECTIVE TO RECOVER ROTOR RPM. THE ACFT WAS ON ONE OF SEVERAL FLIGHT LEGS FROM TORRANCE, CA TO PRINCETON, NJ. IT HAD 74 HRS TOTAL TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24684](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24684-1990-03-12), registration cancelled 1990-03-12, S/N 0590 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 590
- Airframe hours: 74
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2D 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid-Jersey Helicopter Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FRANKLIN, VA
- Destination: HARBORTON, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 22,207 total, 22,169 as pilot in command, 206 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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