# NTSB BFO88LA076: Robinson R22A, N8559A, Gaithersburg, MD, August 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1988, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.119144, -77.250694 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1191&lon=-77.2507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - relinquishing of control - not performed, dual student (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command(cfi)

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS INITIATED WITH THE STUDENT PLT BRINGING THE HELICOPTER UP TO A HOVER WITH SOME FORWARD SPEED. THE STUDENT RAPIDLY AND FORCEFULLY APPLIED AFT CYCLIC. THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE IN TIME, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ON THE CONTROLS WITH THE STUDENT. THE STUDENT DID NOT RELINQUISH THE CONTROLS. THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. PARTIAL CONTROL WAS LOST BUT THE CFI WAS ABLE TO REDUCE THE THROTTLE AND ENTER AN AUTOROTATION FROM APRX 6 FT AGL. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS SKIDS. THE STUDENT HAD ONLY 5 HRS FLT EXPERIENCE, ALL IN THE R22.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8559A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8559A-1999-06-24), registration cancelled 1999-06-24, S/N 0468 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22A
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0468
- Airframe hours: 1126
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Montgomery Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1988
- Departed: GAI
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,100 total, 250 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 20 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 19880827035579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880827035579A), Aug 27, 1988: Robsin R22ALPHA, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. During practice hover student over corrected with rapid cyclic input. CFI unable to gain control. Chopped tailboom.

## Other investigations on N8559A (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 BFO94LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA035), Jan 25, 1994: Robinson R-22A (N8559A), Gaithersburg, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WHICH LED TO AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE RUNWAY AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLING OVER ON ITS SIDE. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS…

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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