# NTSB IAD99LA028: Robinson R-22B, N8041J, Fairfield, NJ, January 15, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 15, 1999, 15:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, NJ - Location: 40.8752° N, 74.2814° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ESSEX COUNTY (CDW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8752&lon=-74.2814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45672 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD99LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45672/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD99LA028 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain rotor rpm and his failure to complete the autorotational descent. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's failure to fully deploy carburetor heat as directed in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - carburetor heat - not deployed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - autorotation - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot was receiving dual instruction in the helicopter in atmospheric conditions conducive to carburetor icing. A 'straight-in autorotation with power recovery' was entered with only partial carburetor heat applied. When throttle was applied for the power recovery, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor said the engine and rotor RPM decayed simultaneously and the helicopter suffered a hard landing. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, full carburetor heat was to be applied during autorotation. After the accident, the flight instructor reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter and the engine started and ran on the airframe. ## Factual narrative On January 15, 1999, at 1538 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-22B helicopter, N8041J, was substantially damaged during a simulated forced landing to the Caldwell Essex County Airport (CDW), Fairfield, New Jersey. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight that originated at CDW, approximately 1420. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the CFI said: "Having already flown 1.2 hours dual training, we initiated a straight-in autorotation to power recovery on runway 22. We entered as usual at 1200 feet indicated, speed 65 knots indicated, and carb heat applied. On the way down we kept the engine rpm around 80 %, rotor rpm in the green, and speed between 60 and 70 knots. At the end of the flare we leveled the ship out at about 7 feet agl (above ground level) with about 20 knots speed. "In the process of rolling on the throttle to join the needles and bring back in the power for the hover, I noticed no engine response and saw both rpm (engine and rotor) decaying simultaneously. I was not able to recover any rpm, and we did a hard landing on the runway. I suspect carburetor icing, with the engine dying when we rolled the throttle on to bring back the power." In a separate written statement, the CFI stated: "...just before entering autorotation I noticed a carburetor temperature of 15." According to a record of telephone conversation from the FAA inspector: "[The CFI] stated that during the flight he utilized partial carburetor heat to maintain the Carburetor Air Temperature (CAT) above the yellow segment of the gauge. He stated that just prior to commencing the autorotation, he applied slightly more carburetor heat and then observed the CAT above the yellow segment on the gauge, at approximately 15 degrees. He does not recall if he applied full carburetor heat prior to reducing power to approximately 80% and commencing the autorotation..." According to the normal procedures section of the Robinson R-22 Pilot Operating Handbook, "USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT" was as follows: "During autorotation or reduced power below 18 inches MP [manifold pressure] apply full Carb Heat regardless of cat gauge temperature...CAUTION: CAT gauge is only effective above 18 inches MP." According to the Robinson R-22 Flight Training Guide, the power recovery portion of the autorotation is performed as follows: "At approximately 8 to 10 foot skid height, begin to level the helicopter with forward cyclic...As the RPM needles join, it may be necessary to add throttle to achieve a hover." According to the emergency procedures section of the Robinson R-22 Pilot Operating Handbook, the responses to "POWER FAILURE BELOW 8 FEET AGL" were as follows: 1. Apply right pedal to prevent yawing. 2. Allow rotorcraft to settle. 3. Increase collective just before touchdown to cushion the landing. The FAA Inspector examined the helicopter at the operator's facility on January 25, 1999. In a telephone interview, the Inspector stated the examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies. Flight control continuity was established and the engine started and ran on the airframe. Weather reported at CDW, at 1545, was measured ceiling 2,000 feet broken, with winds from 250 degrees at 8 knots. The temperature was 32 degrees and the dewpoint was 32 degrees. According to an icing probability chart published by the FAA, atmospheric conditions were conducive to "...serious icing at cruise power." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8041J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8041J-2011-09-12), registration cancelled 2011-09-12, S/N 1061, built 1989 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1091 - Airframe hours: 3753 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mustang Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Intrepid Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 1998, 48 hours before - Departed: CDW - Airport: CDW, Caldwell Essex County, runway 22, 4,553 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 595 total, 379 in this make and model, 546 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CDW ## 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 19990115000809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990115000809A), Jan 15, 1999: Robsin R22BETA, Caldwell, NJ, Substantial damage. R-22 helicopter landed hard on rwy 22 and sustained substantial damage. (.19)on January 15, 1999 at 1538 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-22B helicopter,… ## Other investigations on N8041J (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 IAD05LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA108), Jul 22, 2005: Robinson R22 (N8041J), Nashua, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to maintain aircraft control during a introductory flight and his inadequate remedial actions. 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.