# NTSB NYC87LA217: Robinson R22, N9078Z, Sterling, MA, August 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1987, 20:20 local (Aug 2, 1987, 00:20 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: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Roll over, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE FLYING SOLO, THE STUDENT PLT & HIS INSTRUCTOR (CFI) PRACTICED AUTOROTATIONS FOR ABOUT 1/2 HR. THE CFI DEPLANED & THE STUDENT TOOK OFF ON A SOLO FLT. HE FLEW TO A RESERVOIR AREA FOR MORE PRACTICE. AFTER DESCENDING FROM ABOUT 1000' TO 500', THE ENG LOST POWER. THE STUDENT MADE AN AUTOROTATION TO THE AN OPEN AREA NEAR THE RESERVOIR. HOWEVER, DURING TOUCHDOWN ON SLOPING TERRAIN, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. A POST-ACDNT EXAM WAS MADE, BUT NO ENG OR FUEL SYSTEM DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9078Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9078Z-1994-01-25), registration cancelled 1994-01-25, S/N 0288 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0288
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Training Academy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: STERLING, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870801040469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870801040469A), Aug 1, 1987: Robsin R22, West Boylston, MA, Destroyed. Engine failed response on a practice autorotation. Landed on a slope trying for a beach and rolled over. Carb icing

## Other investigations on N9078Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC83FA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA221), Aug 23, 1983: Robinson R-22 (N9078Z), Nashua, NH, substantial damage

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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