# NTSB ERA19LA144: Robinson R22, N4047H, Clover, VA, April 7, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 6, 2019, 22:08 local (Apr 7, 2019, 02:08 UTC) - Place: Clover, VA - Coordinates: 36.819721, -78.783058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8197&lon=-78.7831&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Robinson Helicopters - NTSB case key (mKey): 99229 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99229/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99229 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA144 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to takeoff at night without adequate runway lighting. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: airport lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017010): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017010/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017010/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a witness, it was dark, and the pilot of the helicopter planned on making a 180° hover turn and perform a steep departure down the runway that was lined by trees. The witness observed the helicopter hover, rotate about 150°, and start a steep departure climb. As the helicopter climbed, it crossed over the runway and the main rotor blades impacted a tree about 50 ft above the ground. The helicopter turned sharply and fell nose-down to the ground. The witness stated that, prior to takeoff, the helicopter sounded and appeared to perform normally; all navigation and landing lights were functioning prior to takeoff. A postcrash fire destroyed the helicopter. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The witness suggested placing a vehicle with lights at the end of the runway, but the pilot declined the suggestion. Based on the dark night conditions during takeoff, it is likely that the pilot did not see the perimeter of the takeoff area and impacted the trees. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 2019, at 2208 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N4047H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Clover, Virginia. The pilot was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a witness, the helicopter arrived at 07VA at 1830. The pilot approached from the south and landed facing north. About 2200, the witness drove the pilot back to the helicopter where they discussed his departure plan. The pilot planned to liftoff, hover, turn 180° to the left, and depart southbound while climbing steeply above the treetops. The pilot brought the helicopter to a hover, rotated about 150°, and started the steep departure climb. As the helicopter climbed, it crossed over the runway and the main rotor blades impacted a tree about 50 ft above the ground. The helicopter turned sharply and fell nose-down to the ground. The witness stated that, prior to takeoff, the helicopter sounded and appeared to perform normally; all navigation and landing lights were functioning prior to takeoff. In a postaccident interview, the pilot said he remembered that his friend asked if he should leave before the sun goes down. The pilot assured his friend that he would be fine. When the pilot was ready to depart, his friend offered to shine lights from the south end of the runway as a guide. Again, the pilot assured his friend that it would not be necessary. The pilot said that he did not recall the accident events after departure but agreed with his friend's recollection. An examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a representative from Robinson Helicopters revealed that the helicopter came to rest at the base of a tree. A postcrash fire destroyed the cockpit and instrument panel. Examination of the main rotor blades revealed both blades remained attached to the main rotor hub and were buckled. Examination of the main rotor transmission revealed rotational scoring. The tail boom was impact and fire damaged. The tail rotor blades were buckled and remained attached to the tail rotor gearbox. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4047H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4047H-2021-04-03), registration cancelled 2021-04-03, S/N 1652, built 1991 (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: 1652 - Year built: 1991 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 SERIES 124 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 07VA, Clover, VA - Destination: W78, South Boston, VA - Airport: 07VA, Alpha Hotel, runway 34, 1,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 430 total, 103 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: W78 ## 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 20190406002539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190406002539A), Apr 6, 2019: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Clover, VA, Destroyed. Pilot took off from private grass strip at night and hit trees ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99229. 9.5 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9577109&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N4047H%20Pilot%20Accident%20Report%201-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record airport owner / witness (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9576750&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20email%20and%20telephone%20correspondence%20airport%20owner%20witness%20LA144-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record FAA correspondence (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9576536&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20email%20correspondence%20LA144-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 4, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9576768&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=party%20form%20RHC_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9577432&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array%20LA144-Rel.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.