# NTSB BFO91LA028: Robinson R-22B, N2632Z, Garrisonville, VA, March 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1991, 19:30 local (Mar 4, 1991, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Garrisonville, VA
- Location: 38.4826° N, 77.4266° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garrisonville, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4826&lon=-77.4266&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA028

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WITH THE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - descent - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS EN ROUTE VFR AT NIGHT WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED POOR VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DECIDED TO REVERSE COURSE AND DURING THE TURN HE FLEW INTO CLOUDS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE DESCENDED IN ATTEMPT TO GET BELOW THE CLOUDS AND STRUCK TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2632Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2632Z-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 0782, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 738
- Airframe hours: 1970
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen Phillips Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 23, 1991, 70 hours before
- Departed: W332, CLINTON, MD
- Destination: 8W8, HARTWOOD, VA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 1,288 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 135 °F, dew point 133 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910303003799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910303003799A), Mar 3, 1991: Robsin R22BETA, Garrisonville, VA, Destroyed. Encountered fog turned back and flew into trees on fog obscured hill.

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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