# NTSB BFO87LA032: Robinson R-22B, N2486N, Manassas, VA, April 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1987, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7468° N, 77.4826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manassas, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7468&lon=-77.4826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA032

## Analysis

THE STUDENT, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE INSTRUCTOR, WAS PRACTICING HOVERING; ABOUT 5 FT AGL. THE STU HAD BEEN OVERCONTROLLING THE ACFT AND EACH TIME THE INSTR WOULD TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION TO STABILIZE THE ACFT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE STU OVERCONTROLLED THE ACFT AND THE LEFT SKID HIT THE GROUND. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER AFTERWARDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - clearance - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2486N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 594
- Airframe hours: 578
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Metropolitan Helicopter
- Registered owner: Peter T. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: W10, Manassas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 453 total, 233 in this make and model, 385 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19870426013659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870426013659I), Apr 26, 1987: Robsin R22BETA, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. Student overcontrolled while hovering. Skid struck the ground, helicopter rolled over. CFI unable to recover.

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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