# NTSB NYC06CA041: Robinson R-22B, N40CP, Rochester, NH, December 3, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 3, 2005, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, NH
- Coordinates: 43.283332, -70.929168
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2833&lon=-70.9292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA\FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA041

## Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate clearance while providing hovering instruction, which resulted in tail rotor ground contact.  A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing hovering over a grass area.  The CFI reported that the student pilot was flying the helicopter, while he "shadowed" the controls and performed corrective inputs.  While hovering, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over onto it's right side.  Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions.   Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident were variable from 230 to 300 degrees, with the predominate wind from 280 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

## Factual narrative

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing hovering over a grass area.  The CFI reported that the student pilot was flying the helicopter, while he "shadowed" the controls and performed corrective inputs.  While hovering, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over onto it's right side.  Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions.   Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident were variable from 230 to 300 degrees, with the predominate wind from 280 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40CP-2007-10-17), registration cancelled 2007-10-17, S/N 0638 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0638
- Airframe hours: 1960
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: C-R Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Four M Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 2005
- Departed: DAW, Rochester, NH
- Destination: DAW, Rochester, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 8,570 total, 288 in this make and model, 7,547 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; injuries: none; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observed at: DAW

## 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 20051203033109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051203033109A), Dec 3, 2005: Robsin R22BETA, Nashua, NH, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 3, 2005 instructor [privacy data omitted] was pilot-in-command of an R-22 helicopter registration number N40CP. On this flight the pilot…

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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