# NTSB NYC91LA011: Robinson R22, N666U, Woonsocket, RI, October 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1990, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Woonsocket, RI
- Location: 42.0017° N, 71.4999° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Woonsocket, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0017&lon=-71.4999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA011

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TERRAIN TO AVOID GETTING THE RIGHT SKID CAUGHT IN THE GRASS, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - grass
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER AT A HOVER ABOUT 6 INCHES ABOVE THE GRASS. THE RIGHT SKID HIT THE GRASS CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO ROLLOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N666U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N666U-2006-12-13), registration cancelled 2006-12-13, S/N 1036, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11036
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rhedon Aviaton Corp.
- Departed: SFZ, CRANSTON, RI
- Destination: SFZ
- Airport: SF2, North Central

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,250 total, 350 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19901014045849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901014045849A), Oct 14, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Woonsocket, RI, Substantial damage. Allowed a skid to touch ground during practice low hover. Entered dynamic rollover.

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.