# NTSB NYC90LA103: Robinson R22, N9071Z, Millville, NJ, May 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1990, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Millville, NJ
- Location: 39.4021° N, 75.0393° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Millville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4021&lon=-75.0393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA103

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT BY THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI).  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL TIME AND EXPERIENCE OF BOTH THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - directional control - not possible
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A PRACTICE HOVER WITH THE STUDENT AT THE CONTROLS,THE STUDENT STARTED A RAPID AFT CYCLIC MOVEMENT, CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND SEPARATE. THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) TOOK CONTROL AND INITIATED A HOVER AUTOROTATION AND THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER THEN STRUCK THE GROUND RIGHT SKID LOW AND CAME TO REST IN A RELATIVE LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH THE RIGHT SKID COLLAPSING AND THE CRAFT ROLLING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THE CFI WAS ISSUED HIS INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE STUDENT HAD ONLY 4.8 HOURS OF EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9071Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9071Z-1990-12-21), registration cancelled 1990-12-21, S/N 0203 (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: 0203
- Airframe hours: 1529
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Total Helicopter Service
- Registered owner: Titan Helicopter Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 4, 1990, 15 hours before
- Departed: M1V, MILLVILLE, NJ
- Airport: Millville Muni, runway 26, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 308 total, 292 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 137 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900508014769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900508014769A), May 8, 1990: Robsin R22, Millville, NJ, Substantial damage. Student made rapid aft cyclic input. Tail rotor hit. Broke off. CFI tried recover but struck ground. Collapsed skid

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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