# NTSB NYC85FA048: Robinson R-22-A, N84958, Ellington, CT, December 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1984, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Ellington, CT
- Location: 41.9254° N, 72.4571° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELLINGTON (7B9), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9254&lon=-72.4571&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35793
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35793/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA048

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper decision, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper decision, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-INST RATED PLT CONTINUED FLT INTO IMC CONDITIONS IN A HELICOPTER WHICH WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR FLT ON INSTRUMENTS. THERE IS NO RECORD OR WITNESSES OF THE PLT HAVING RECEIVED A FORMAL WX BRIEFING BUT IT IS REPORTED THAT THE PLT WAS INFORMED OF FOG MOVING TOWARD AND EVENTUALLY 'SOCKING IN' THE ARPT. THE PLTS REPLY TO THE LAST CALL OF A 'SOCKED IN' CONDITION WAS 'I HAVE THE ARPT IN SIGHT'. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT HEADING AWAY FROM THE ARPT AFTER HAVING HEARD IT FLYING TOWARD THE ARPT. THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO DESCEND AT A STEEP ANGLE TOWARD THE GROUND JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE SIGHTING WAS SHORT (APROX 3 SECONDS) AND MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY THE REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG AND FADING DAYLIGHT (DUSK). INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL REASONS OF A CONTRIBUTORY NATURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84958](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84958-1994-07-19), registration cancelled 1994-07-19, S/N 0407 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22-A
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 407
- Airframe hours: 505
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William A. Kolouch Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 19, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: 7B9, ELLINGTON, CT
- Airport: 7B9, Ellington, runway 3, 1,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 118 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDL, 10 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 19841222067629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841222067629A), Dec 22, 1984: Robsin R22ALPHA, Ellington, CT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Attempted to land despite advisories that weather had closed field. Pilot was not instrument rated.

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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