# NTSB NYC87LA178: Robinson R-22, N351, Sterling, MA, June 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1987, 16:12 local (20:12 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, MA
- Location: 42.4376° N, 71.7606° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sterling, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4376&lon=-71.7606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, hover
  - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING HOVERING IN THE DESIGNATED HOVER AREA AT THE ARPT, THE STU PLT ACCIDENTLY PULLED AFT CYCLIC WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS DRIFTING BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED THE TAIL STRUCTURE AND ROTOR BLADES TO CONTACT THE GROUND. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES THEN CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED IT, THROWING IT ABT 50 FT IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. THE INSTRUCTOR ADDED FORWARD CYCLIC, ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE, AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER STRAIGHT AHEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N351](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N351-2012-03-26), registration cancelled 2012-03-26, S/N 0319 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0319
- Airframe hours: 2978
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fuller Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: Fuller Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1987
- Airport: Sterling, runway 34L, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 669 total, 285 in this make and model, 559 as pilot in command, 212 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 68 °F

## 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 19870613082049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870613082049A), Jun 13, 1987: Robsin R22, Sterling, MA, Substantial damage. CFI allowed student T0 practice hover. Student used aft cylic causing tail and rotor blades to strike each other.

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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