# NTSB MIA99LA147: Robinson R22 Beta, N2314T, Lares, PR, April 29, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 1999, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Lares, PR - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46281 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46281/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA147 ## Probable cause The improper touchdown by the pilot resulting in dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause) - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to transport a sick worker to his house. The flight departed and after arriving in the area, he circled it several times to look for obstructions, noting power lines that were near the intended touchdown location. When the helicopter was about 10 feet above ground level, the passenger mentioned for the first time to watch out for a wire (determined to be a suspended garden hose). He became distracted by the comment from the passenger and diverted his attention to look for the wire. The helicopter touched down in a side slip on uneven terrain; experienced dynamic rollover, and came to rest on the left side. The pilot further stated that there was no airframe, engine, or flight control preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 1999, about 1130 Atlantic standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N2314T, registered to Universal Development Corporation, rolled over on landing in a residential area near Lares, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 1100, from the Eugenio Maria De Hostos Airport, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The pilot stated that he was flying a sick individual home, and after arriving in that area, he circled several times to view the area. He noted power lines in the area but while descending to land about 10 feet above ground level, the passenger advised him for the first time to watch the wire (determined to be a suspended garden hose). He became distracted by the comment from the passenger and diverted his attention to look for the wire. The helicopter then touched down on the uneven ground in a side slip; experienced dynamic rollover, and came to rest on the left side. The pilot further stated that there was no engine or flight control preimpact failure or malfunction. ## 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 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: 1977 - Airframe hours: 986 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jose O. Reyes - Registered owner: Universal Development Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1999, 69 hours before - Departed: MAZ, MAYAGUEZ, PR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,136 total, 39 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MAZ, 31 nm away ## 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 MIA05CA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA009), Oct 19, 2004: Robinson R-22 (N2314T), Vega Baja, PR, substantial damage. 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. 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.