# NTSB NYC03LA087: Robinson R-22B, N7192M, Waterford, PA, April 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 2003, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Waterford, PA - Coordinates: 40.238334, -79.158058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2383&lon=-79.1581&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56849 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56849/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the collision with the wire. Factors in the accident were the concealment of the poles by trees, the lack of contrast between the wire and grass field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - visual/aural detection, pilot in command - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) ## Analysis Once at his planned destination, the pilot conducted a high reconnaissance at 800 feet agl, and maneuvered the helicopter to land in an open field. While on short final and approximately 15 feet agl, the pilot slowed the helicopter to approximately 10 knots, and while trying to identify a level area to land in, struck a wire between the cockpit and main rotor system. The helicopter entered an uncontrolled vertical descent, impacted the ground skids first, and came to rest upright. The field the pilot was attempting to land in was green, the poles were concealed by trees, and the wire was oxidized to a shade of green. In addition, the owner of the property was in the field, and pointing at the wire, but the pilot interpreted his gestures, as he wanted him to stop so he could take a picture of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On April 20, 2003, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22B, N7192M, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while landing in an open field near Waterford, Pennsylvania. The certified private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from the Beaver County Airport (BVI), Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. A flight plan was not filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he arrived at the airport, preflighted the helicopter, and boarded. He started the engine, completed the runup checks per the checklist, and hover taxied to the "west ramp" for a southeast departure. The pilot climbed to an initial altitude of 2,000 feet msl, and the flight progressed without incident to his planned destination, which was a friend's farm approximately 50 miles southeast of Beaver Airport. Once at his planned destination, the pilot conducted a high reconnaissance at 800 feet agl. During the reconnaissance, he identified two possible landing areas. One of the landing areas contained several horses, and approximately four individuals. The other was void of animals and people, and the owner of the property was walking towards it, which gave the pilot the impression he wanted him to land in that area. Unaware of the wire, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to approach the second landing area from the northeast, into the wind. While on short final and approximately 15 feet agl, the pilot slowed the helicopter to approximately 10 knots, and while trying to identify a level area to land in, struck a wire between the cockpit and main rotor system. The helicopter entered an uncontrolled vertical descent, impacted the ground skids first, and came to rest upright. The pilot then secured all the systems and exited. The pilot added that the field he was attempting to land in was green, the poles were concealed by trees, and the wire was constructed of copper and was oxidized to a shade of green. The pilot stated that while on the approach, the owner of the property was carrying a camera, and pointing in the direction of the helicopter with his thumb partially sticking up. The pilot interpreted this, as he wanted him to hold his position to take a picture. Not wanting to slow below effective translational lift, the pilot continued the approach. After the accident, the pilot learned that the property owner was actually pointing at the wire, and not trying to get him to stop in order to take a picture. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7192M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7192M-2003-07-22), registration cancelled 2003-07-22, S/N 3212, 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&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3212 - Airframe hours: 675 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barber Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 4, 2003, 76.5 hours before - Departed: BVI, Beaver Falls, PA - Destination: NONE, Waterford, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 23, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 462 total, 215 in this make and model, 381 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: LBE, 9 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 20030420005319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030420005319A), Apr 20, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Waterford, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated: during landing on private property, helo struck overhead power line. Mitigating circumstance: aircraft was being directed (marshalled) by a… 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.