# NTSB NYC08CA083: Robinson R44 II, N122AA, Fenner, NY, January 15, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 15, 2008, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Fenner, NY - Coordinates: 42.997776, -75.786941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9978&lon=-75.7869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67398 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67398/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to perform a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility in snow and the soft terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: snow](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Emergency descent initiated](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/130/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the Robinson R44 II was on the final leg of a visual flight rules (VFR) flight when, about 18 miles from the destination airport, he obtained a special VFR clearance from the approach controller due to snow showers in the area. The clearance was later canceled by the controller due to "saturation," and the pilot was told not to enter the area, which was several miles ahead. The pilot then turned the helicopter around and entered a "near zero/zero whiteout," but during the "tight" turn the attitude indicator "tumbled." The pilot then elected to perform a precautionary landing to a plowed field below. As the helicopter contacted the ground, the skids sunk into the soft terrain, and the aft portion of the tailboom and the skids separated from the fuselage. The weather reported at the destination airport at the time of the accident included 1 1/2 statute miles visibility in light snow and mist. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the Robinson R44 II, he was on the final leg of a visual flight rules (VFR) flight. About 18 miles from the destination airport, the pilot obtained a special VFR clearance from the approach controller due to snow showers in the area. The clearance was later canceled by the controller due to "saturation," and the pilot was told not to enter the area, which was several miles ahead. The pilot then turned the helicopter around and entered a "near zero/zero whiteout," but during the "tight" turn the attitude indicator "tumbled." The pilot then elected to perform a precautionary landing to a plowed field below. As the helicopter contacted the ground, the skids sunk into the soft terrain, and the aft portion of the tailboom and the skids separated from the fuselage. The weather reported at the destination airport at the time of the accident included 1 1/2 statute miles visibility in light snow and mist. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N122AA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N122AA), registered now, S/N 11228, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11228 - Airframe hours: 455 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Adkins Aviation - Registered owner: Adkins Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2007 - Departed: N66, Oneonta, NY - Destination: SYR, Syracuse, NY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SYR, Syracuse International Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 27,000 total, 2,030 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 9 knots - Visibility: 1.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: SYR, 18 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 20080115009899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080115009899A), Jan 15, 2008: Robsin R44RAVENII, Fenner, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) N122AA was returning to syracuse, NY on a special VFR flight plan. The pilot experienced poor visibility due to blowing snow and winds. 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. --- 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.