# NTSB ERA17CA187: Robinson R22, N2322Z, Linden, NJ, May 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2017, 16:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Linden, NJ - Coordinates: 40.6175, -74.244445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6175&lon=-74.2444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95211 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95211/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95211 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA187 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering, which resulted in skid contact with the ground and a dynamic roll-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter flight instructor stated that he was providing the student pilot with his first introductory flight in a helicopter. The flight instructor was holding the dual controls lightly while the student pilot practiced hovering. The helicopter was hovering over a concrete area on the airport and had drifted over grass. The flight instructor then told the student pilot to hover back over the concrete. As the helicopter was proceeding back to the concrete, the student pilot made an abrupt movement on the cyclic to the right, and the right skid contacted an unknown object, which caused a dynamic roll-over. The student pilot's written account was similar, except he stated that the flight instructor had taken control of the helicopter and was hovering toward the concrete when a sudden downward push of wind caused a forceful movement to the right. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right skid had contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover and substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were noted nor did the pilots report any. The wind at the airport was recorded as calm about the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The helicopter flight instructor stated that he was providing the student pilot with his first introductory flight in a helicopter. The flight instructor was holding the dual controls lightly while the student pilot practiced hovering. The helicopter was hovering over a concrete area on the airport and had drifted over grass. The flight instructor then told the student pilot to hover back over the concrete. As the helicopter was proceeding back to the concrete, the student pilot made an abrupt movement on the cyclic to the right and the right skid contacted an unknown object, causing a dynamic rollover. The student pilot's written account was similar, except he stated that the flight instructor had taken control of the helicopter and was hovering toward the concrete when a sudden downward push of wind caused a forceful movement to the right. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right skid had contacted the ground, resulting in a dynamic rollover and substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any. The wind at the airport was recorded as calm about the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2322Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2322Z-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N 2080, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22 (BETA) - 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: 2080 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 5800 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Heliflights LLC - Registered owner: Heliflights LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 2017, 8 hours before - Departed: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Destination: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Airport: LDJ, Linden Airport - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 8, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,168 total, 514 in this make and model, 1,097 as pilot in command, 193 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: LDJ ## 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 20170520008909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170520008909A), May 20, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Linden, NJ, Substantial damage. On 5/20/2017, the pilot of N2322Z was conducting an introductory flight with a student. Instruction was being given on hovering on the north side of runway… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95211. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 455 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452700&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Airport Weather Observations (item 4, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452701&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.