# NTSB NYC93LA126: Robinson R22, N8557Y, Sanford, ME, June 24, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 1993, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Sanford, ME - Location: 43.3938° N, 70.7080° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SANFORD SEACOAST RGNL (SFM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3938&lon=-70.7080&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38611 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38611/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter while hovering, resulting in the main rotor blades impacting the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, hover ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING PEDAL TURNS AT A HOVER AND HAD JUST COMPLETED A 90 DEGREE TURN FROM AN EASTERLY HEADING TO A SOUTHERLY HEADING. WHILE FACING TO THE SOUTH, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT SAID, '...I COMPENSATED WITH LEFT CYCLIC...' THE MAIN ROTOR IMPACTED THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROTATED 180 DEGREES AROUND THE MAIN ROTOR SHAFT BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANCIAL MALFUNCTIONS. ## Factual narrative On Thursday, June 24, 1993, at about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22, N8557Y, piloted by Mr. Richard Kirkham, collided with the terrain while at a hover at the Sanford Airport, Sanford, Maine. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: ...I was practicing left pedal turns in an..area about 500' southeast of runway 7/25 which was inactive at the time. The surrounding terrain is flat with no obstructions and supports bushes which range from 6" to 12" and pose no problem to hovering and/or landing rotorcraft...I was in a stable hover between 3' and 5' while facing east. I executed a 90 degree pedal turn to a stop while facing south. The helicopter seemed to roll to the right so I compensated with left cyclic...the main rotor contacted the ground and the helicopter rotated 180 degrees around the main rotor shaft... The pilot had a total of 27.5 flight hours in rotorcraft and this make and model helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8557Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8557Y-1994-06-06), registration cancelled 1994-06-06, S/N 0463 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 463 - Airframe hours: 3785 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jack Mccormick, doing business as Rotorcraft Inc. - Registered owner: Elmo J. Rainville - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1993, 92 hours before - Departed: SFM - Destination: SFM - Airport: SFM, Sanford Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,349 total, 28 in this make and model, 1,206 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots ## 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 19930624052449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930624052449A), Jun 24, 1993: Robsin R22ALPHA, Sanford, ME, Substantial damage. During low hover and practice pedal turns. Rolled to right. Used left cyclic too late. Rotor struck ground. ## Other investigations on N8557Y (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 BFO92LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA117), Jul 25, 1992: Robinson R22A (N8557Y), Sanford, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN TO EXECUTE A LANDING. 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.