# NTSB BFO94LA020: Robinson R-22, N8380J, Rockland, ME, November 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1993, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Rockland, ME
- Location: 44.0601° N, 69.0997° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KNOX COUNTY RGNL (RKD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0601&lon=-69.0997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA020

## Probable cause

1) THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM, 2) THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING, RESULTING IN A DYNAMIC ROLLOVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, landing
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING HIS SECOND AUTOROTATION, HE REDUCED POWER AND THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING WAS ACTIVATED.  AS THE PILOT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO RESTORE RPM, THE RIGHT SKID STRUCK THE GROUND.  THE HELICOPTER PIVOTED AROUND TO THE RIGHT, RESULTING IN A DYNAMIC ROLLOVER.  THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED.

## Factual narrative

On November 27, 1993, about 1200 hours eastern standard time, N8380J, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, operated by Bruce Woollett, Owls Head, Maine, was substantially damaged during landing at the Knox County Regional Airport, Rockland, Maine.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The personal flight departed from the Knox County Regional Airport and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot stated that he was practicing autorotations to landing.  During the second autorotation, the pilot lowered the collective and "... reduced power slightly."  The low rotor RPM warning activated, so the pilot lowered the collective to restore RPM.  As he performed this, the right skid of the helicopter "hit the soft ground in a slight right drift, resulting in a rollover."  No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

According to a FAA aviation safety inspector, the rollover caused substantial damage to the rotorblades, mast, and tail.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8380J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8380J-1996-04-06), registration cancelled 1996-04-06, S/N 0326 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0326
- Airframe hours: 2562
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Woollett, Bruce
- Registered owner: Woollett, Bruce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1993, 69 hours before
- Airport: RKD, Knox County Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total, 128 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKD

## 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 19931127052539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931127052539A), Nov 27, 1993: Robsin R22, Rockland, ME, Substantial damage. On practice autorotation to landing lost rotor RPM skid hit soft ground. Helicopter rolled over.

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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