# NTSB MIA94LA051: Robinson R-22, N931KC, Miami, FL, January 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 1994, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.940439, -80.210716 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9404&lon=-80.2107&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37479/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA051 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's improper supervision of an unqualified pilot while maneuvering at a low altitude. This resulted in a loss in rotor rpm due to improper flight control input (upward collective pitch), and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - supervision - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - flight controls - improper use of, unqualified person (contributing factor) - altitude - not maintained, unqualified person (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated she was in cruise flight with the cabin doors removed, when she looked outside and her glasses blew off. She directed the passenger, who has a private pilot, single engine land airplane rating to fly the helicopter, while she looked outside trying to locate her glasses. The passenger descended to 4 to 5 feet agl, and made two low passes over the field, while she continued to look for her glasses. She heard the passenger state, 'Lori, Lori,' and heard the rotor rpm horn blaring. She took the the flight controls and lowered the collective pitch. The helicopter collided with the ground, and rolled over on its right side. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 1994, about 1630 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22, N931KC, registered to Husta Aviation, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with terrain in cruise flight. The helicopter was destroyed. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Opa Locka, Florida, about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that she was operating with the cabin doors removed from the helicopter. While in cruise flight between 100 to 300 feet agl she looked outside of the helicopter and her glasses blew off. She directed the passenger, who has a private pilot with a single engine land airplane rating, to fly the helicopter while she looked outside trying to locate her glasses. The passenger descended to 4 to 5 feet agl, and made two low passes over the field while she continued to look for her glasses. She heard the passenger state, "Lori, Lori," and heard the rotor rpm horn blaring. She took the flight controls and lowered the collective pitch. The helicopter collided with the ground and rolled over on its right side. Review of airman records on file with the Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the pilot did not hold an instructor rating in helicopters. The passenger did not hold an airman rating in helicopters, and his medical certificate is expired. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N931KC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N931KC-1994-11-22), registration cancelled 1994-11-22, S/N 2318 (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) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2318 - Airframe hours: 259 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Husta Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 28, 1993, 86 hours before - Departed: OPF, OPA LOCKA, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,557 total, 51 in this make and model, 2,535 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TMB, 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 19940113000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940113000379A), Jan 13, 1994: Robsin R22, Miami, FL, Destroyed. Looked outside open copter. Glasses blew off. Had private pilot asel fly low passes to find glasses. Lost control. 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.