# NTSB NYC06CA125: Robinson R-22, N720RJ, Sanford, ME, May 28, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 28, 2006, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Sanford, ME
- Coordinates: 43.389446, -70.704719
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3894&lon=-70.7047&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA125

## Probable cause

The flight instructor's inadvertent encounter with settling-with-power, which resulted in a hard landing, and subsequent roll-over.  A factor in the accident was the tailwind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - settling with power - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

The flight instructor was demonstrating air-taxi maneuvers to the student pilot in a Robinson R-22 helicopter.  The instructor slowed the helicopter to about 10 knots ground speed in a descending turn, and oriented the helicopter such that it experienced a tailwind.  As the helicopter "settled", the pilot attempted to arrest the descent, but could not, and leveled the helicopter prior to a hard landing.  The landing gear subsequently collapsed, the helicopter rolled over, and the main rotor blades contacted the ground.  The instructor reported that there were no deficiencies with the performance or handling characteristics of the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor was demonstrating air-taxi maneuvers to the student pilot in a Robinson R-22 helicopter.  The instructor slowed the helicopter to about 10 knots ground speed in a descending turn, and oriented the helicopter such that it experienced a tailwind.  As the helicopter "settled", the pilot attempted to arrest the descent, but could not, and leveled the helicopter prior to a hard landing.  The landing gear subsequently collapsed, the helicopter rolled over, and the main rotor blades contacted the ground.  The instructor reported that there were no deficiencies with the performance or handling characteristics of the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N720RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N720RJ-2017-02-28), registration cancelled 2017-02-28, S/N 0541, built 1986 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2748042
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: MTM Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SFM, Sanford, ME
- Destination: Sanford, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: KSFM

## 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 20060528016509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060528016509A), May 28, 2006: Robsin R22BETA, Sanford, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) While demonstrating an air taxi maneuver at an initial altitude of approximately 30 feet and 30-40 knots the aircraft settled to the surface, hit hard in…

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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