# NTSB NYC92LA021: Robinson R22B, N502TH, Millville, NJ, October 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1991, 08:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Millville, NJ
- Location: 39.3678° N, 75.0722° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MILLVILLE MUNI (MIV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3678&lon=-75.0722&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL IN THE COCKPIT.  DURING LANDING THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER. THE WIND WAS FROM 020 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS WITH PEAK GUSTS TO 18. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLYING TIME OF 117 HOURS WITH 65 HOURS PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N502TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N502TH-1993-01-06), registration cancelled 1993-01-06, S/N 0846 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0846
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Titan Helocopter Services,Inc.
- Registered owner: Titan Helocopter Services,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 1900
- Destination: TGI, TANGIER ISLAND, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MIV, Millville Municipal, runway 32, 5,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 117 total, 117 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- 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 19911030056429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911030056429A), Oct 30, 1991: Robsin R22BETA, Millville, NJ, Substantial damage. Noted burning smell on departure. Lost control and crashed trying to land in gusty surface wind.

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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