# NTSB BFO90LA047: Robinson R-22M, N4003K, Stevensville, MD, May 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1990, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Stevensville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.989459, -76.300102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9895&lon=-76.3001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA047

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WHILE TAXIING ON TURBULENT WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE TAXIING ON THE WATERS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY HE ENCOUNTERED A WAVE FROM A PASSING BOAT, CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO NOSE DOWN. THE PLT UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL WITH CYLIC INPUT; HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER AND SUNK IN THE WATER. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4003K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4003K-1993-03-17), registration cancelled 1993-03-17, S/N 1393M (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22M
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1393M
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Mcdermott
- Registered owner: Thomas Mcdermott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: W32, CLINTON, MD
- Destination: W29, STEVENSVILLE, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,010 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 2,985 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 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 19900520016849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900520016849A), May 20, 1990: Robsin R22MARINER, Stevensville, MD, Destroyed. Landed on water to demostrate pontoon use to new owner. Boat wake hit and helicopter nosed over . Water was calm.

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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