# NTSB NYC03LA045: Robinson R-22B, N7198U, Pittsfield, MA, January 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 25, 2003, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Pittsfield, MA - Coordinates: 42.426666, -73.292778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4267&lon=-73.2928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 56390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56390/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56390 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control, which resulted in a rollover. Factors in this accident were the night light conditions, ice covered ramp and a snowbank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, standing - engine(s) operating - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said he landed the helicopter on the ramp and was unaware that the area was covered with ice because of darkness. He turned off the governor, placed the cyclic and collective friction locks on, and brought the engine RPM to 80 percent for cool down. The helicopter began to turn 90 degrees counter-clockwise and slide backward. The pilot applied right pedal, which countered the yaw; however, the helicopter continued to slide backward on the ice. The helicopter then contacted a snowbank and rolled over. The pilot said he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On January 25, 2003, about 1745 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-22B helicopter, N7198U, was substantially damaged after landing at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot said he landed on the ramp and was unaware that the area was covered with ice because of darkness. He turned off the governor, placed the cyclic and collective friction locks on, and brought the engine RPM to 80 percent for cool down. The helicopter began to turn 90 degrees counter-clockwise and slide backward. The pilot applied right pedal, which countered the yaw; however, the helicopter continued to slide backward on the ice. The helicopter then contacted a snowbank and rolled over. The pilot further stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. The pilot reported 205 hours of total flight experience, which included 161 hours in make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7198U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7198U-2013-11-13), registration cancelled 2013-11-13, S/N 3251, built 2001 (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 O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3751 - Airframe hours: 257 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert C. Herr - Registered owner: New England Aviation, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2002, 32 hours before - Departed: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY - Destination: PSF, Pittsfield, MA - Airport: PSF, Pittsfield Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 28, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 203 total, 203 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: PSF ## 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 20030125000709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030125000709A), Jan 25, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Pittsfield, MA, Substantial damage. (.19) On January 25, 2003, about 1745 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-22B helicopter, N7198U, was substantially damaged after landing at the Pittsfield… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 19, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56390. 757 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40181058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40181046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.