# NTSB NYC93LA093: Robinson R22B, N2618Z, Murraysville, PA, April 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1993, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Murraysville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.459484, -79.669639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4595&lon=-79.6696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA093

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND ROLLOVER.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT (ROTORCRAFT) WAS MAKING AN OFF AIRPORT HIGH APPROACH TO A PINNACLE WHEN HE EXPERIENCED LOW ROTOR RPM TWICE.  THE FIRST TIME HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER RPM, HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER RPM THE SECOND TIME, AND MADE A HARD LANDING AND ROLLED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE POWERPLANT AND DRIVE SYSTEM BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR, 'FOUND NO REASON WHY THEY SHOULD NOT FUNCTION NORMALLY.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2618Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2618Z-1993-12-07), registration cancelled 1993-12-07, S/N 0721 (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: 0721
- Airframe hours: 3861
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Airburst Helicopters
- Registered owner: Airburst Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 3, 1993, 39 hours before
- Departed: AGC, WEST MIFFLIN, PA
- Destination: AGC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 358 total, 43 in this make and model, 234 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGC, 14 nm away

## 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 19930427010939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930427010939A), Apr 27, 1993: Robsin R22, Murrysville, PA, Substantial damage. Low rotor RPM on approach to pinnacle sight. Turned downhill. Made hard landing clearing trees. Rolled over.

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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