# NTSB NYC03LA029: Robinson R-22, N9444Y, Suffolk, VA, December 12, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 2002, 14:23 local (19:23 UTC)
- Place: Suffolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.716945, -76.570274
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7169&lon=-76.5703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA029

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while landing, which resulted in a collision with an embankment.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

While demonstrating an autorotation at a golf course driving range, the tail rotor struck a driving range tee box, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side.

## Factual narrative

On December 12, 2002, at 1423 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-22, N9444Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during a practice autorotation, near Suffolk, Virginia.  The certificated commercial pilot was not injured, and the passenger was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he was demonstrating an autorotation for the passenger.  The maneuver was performed to a golf course driving range.  During the flare for touchdown, the tail rotor struck a driving range tee box, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage after the accident.  He observed both main rotor blades were damaged and the tail rotor gearbox had separated from the tail boom.

The pilot reported 709 hours of total flight experience in Robinson R-22's.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9444Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9444Y-2005-11-23), registration cancelled 2005-11-23, S/N 2965, built 1999 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2965
- Airframe hours: 634
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wright Associates Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 2, 2002, 33 hours before
- Departed: PVG, Norfolk, VA
- Destination: PHF, Newport News, VA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 14, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 6,079 total, 709 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: SFQ, 12 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 20021212037829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021212037829A), Dec 12, 2002: Robsin R22BETA, Suffolk, VA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot stated that while enroute at approximately 600AGL, from hampton roads (pvg) to newport news (phf), he decided to demonstrate to his passenger…

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.

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