# NTSB BFO92LA117: Robinson R22A, N8557Y, Sanford, ME, July 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1992, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sanford, ME
- Location: 43.3938° N, 70.7080° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SANFORD SEACOAST RGNL (SFM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3938&lon=-70.7080&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA117

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN TO EXECUTE A LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AUTOROTATION DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT BY THE STUDENT, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN A SOFT GRASSY AREA RESULTING IN THE SKIDS DIGGING INTO THE GROUND.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE HAD COMPLETED 5 AUTOROTATIONS IN ANOTHER AREA IN THE CENTER OF THE AIRPORT, WHEN HIS INSTRUCTOR REQUESTED HIM TO PERFORM ANOTHER AUTOROTATION CLOSER TO WHERE HE WAS LOCATED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL UNTIL UPON TOUCHDOWN WHEN THE HELICOPTER SLID FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 26 FEET ON THE GROUND.  DURING THE SLIDE THE LANDING SKID DUG INTO THE GROUND, CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO NOSE OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8557Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8557Y-1994-06-06), registration cancelled 1994-06-06, S/N 0463 (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: 0463
- Airframe hours: 3558
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Rotorcraft Inc
- Registered owner: Ronald La Vallee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 1992, 65 hours before
- Airport: SFM, Sanford Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 212 total, 152 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFM, 1 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 19920725027959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920725027959A), Jul 25, 1992: Robsin R22ALPHA, Sanford, ME, Substantial damage. Run on landing in soft ground during practice caused helicopter to rock fore and aft. Damaged cabin and skids.

## Other investigations on N8557Y (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 NYC93LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA126), Jun 24, 1993: Robinson R22 (N8557Y), Sanford, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter while hovering, resulting in the main rotor blades impacting the ground.

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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