# NTSB BFO95LA013: Robinson R-22B, N40411, Magnolia, DE, November 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1994, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Magnolia, DE
- Coordinates: 39.06044, -75.470268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0604&lon=-75.4703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA013

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm while hovering.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS HOVERING THE HELICOPTER OVER HIS FARM WHEN IT DEVELOPED LOW RPM.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT '...THE RPM WARNING WENT OFF.  WHILE IN THE MIDST OF RECOVERING A SKID HIT THE GROUND HARD.  HELICOPTER BOUNCED ONCE AND THEN ROLLED OVER.'

## Factual narrative

On Saturday, November 19, 1994, at 1715 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-22B helicopter, N40411, collided with terrain while hovering at a private heliport near Magnolia, Delaware.  The owner/pilot received minor injuries. The helicopter was destroyed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated he was hovering the helicopter over his farm, when it developed low RPM.  According to the pilot "...the (RPM) warning went off.  While in the midst of recovering a skid hit the ground hard. Helicopter bounced once and then rolled over."  The fuselage separated and traveled 30 feet before it came to rest on its side.

The pilot stated that "There was no indication of any engine problem, unusual vibrations etc. during the flight."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40411](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40411-1995-10-02), registration cancelled 1995-10-02, S/N 1606 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1606
- Airframe hours: 890
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brett Elliott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1994, 18 hours before
- Departed: DE24
- Airport: DE24, Elliott Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,600 total, 340 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: DOV, 6 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 19941119038669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941119038669A), Nov 19, 1994: Robsin R22BETA, Dover, DE, Destroyed. Lost rotor RPM while hovering. Landed hard and rolled over. No mechanical anomalies. Had tried recover to late.

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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