# NTSB MIA05CA009: Robinson R-22, N2314T, Vega Baja, PR, October 19, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 19, 2004, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Vega Baja, PR - Coordinates: 18.456666, -66.098052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.4567&lon=-66.0981&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60466 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60466/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to select a suitable landing area resulting in a tangled skid with vegetation during an aborted landing and subsequent dynamic roll over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, landing - aborted - landing gear,skid assembly - movement restricted - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he selected a landing spot in an open field to drop off his passenger. After the approach to the landing area, he hovered about 5 feet and descended slowly to make contact with the ground. Due to the height of the vegetation in the area he could not see the actual ground. Once the helicopter got close to the vegetation, the passenger believed the helicopter had come to a full landing and disconnected his seat belt. The helicopter continued to sink and the pilot decided to abort the landing by raising the collective. One of the skids became tangled on the vegetation, causing a dynamic roll over. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 2004, about 1630, Atlantic standard time, a Robinson R-22, N2314T registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, had a dynamic roll over during landing in a open field near Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot reported minor injuries, one passenger received serious injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico, earlier that day, about 1330. The pilot stated that he selected a landing spot in an open field to drop off his passenger. After the approach to the landing area, he hovered about 5 feet and descended slowly to make contact with the ground. Due to the height of the vegetation in the area he could not see the actual ground. Once the helicopter got close to the vegetation, the passenger believed the helicopter had come to a full landing and disconnected his seat belt. The helicopter continued to sink and the pilot decided to abort the landing by raising the collective. One of the skids became tangled on the vegetation, causing a dynamic roll over. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the helicopter or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2314T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2314T-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 - 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: 1977 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Universal Development Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TJIG, Vega Baja, PR - Airport: TJIG ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,091 total, 492 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: SJU ## 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 20041019028179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041019028179A), Oct 19, 2004: Robsin R22BETA, Vega Baja, PR, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command attempted to land his helicopter in a vacant lot with tall grass to drop off a passenger after taking photographs. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N2314T (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 MIA99LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA147), Apr 29, 1999: Robinson R22 Beta (N2314T), Lares, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper touchdown by the pilot resulting in dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention. 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.