# NTSB NYC99LA132: Robinson R-22B, N221DD, Jaffrey, NH, June 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 3, 1999, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Jaffrey, NH - Location: 42.8051° N, 72.0030° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at JAFFREY AIRFIELD SILVER RANCH (AFN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8051&lon=-72.0030&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46526 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46526/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA132 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The commercial pilot was practicing autorotations to runway 34. While on final approach, the helicopter's main rotor RPM began to decrease and the pilot lowered the collective to bring the RPM back into 'the green.' When the pilot realized he was 'short' of the runway, he opened the throttle, pulled up on the collective, and attempted a go-around. However, the skids contacted the ground, 178 feet short of the paved portion of the runway. During the impact, the main rotor severed the tail boom. The pilot stated he experienced no mechanical problems with the helicopter. Winds reported at the airport at about the time of the accident, were from 290 degrees at 8 knots, with 15 knot gusts, variable between 270 and 360 degrees. ## Factual narrative On June 3, 1999, about 1745 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22B, N221DD, was substantially damaged while landing at the Jaffrey Airport (AFN), Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The certificated commercial pilot, and the certificated flight instructor (CFI) were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot owned the helicopter and had previously received training for a flight instructor rating from another CFI. According to the commercial pilot, the CFI was acting as a safety pilot for the flight. According to the CFI, the pilot departed runway 34 at AFN, climbed to 1,700 feet, and entered the traffic pattern for a practice autorotation. When the helicopter was abeam the end of the runway, the pilot entered the autorotation. While on final approach, the wind was blowing the helicopter away from the runway. The helicopter's main rotor RPM began to decrease and the pilot lowered the collective to bring the RPM back into "the green," which increased the helicopter's descent. When the pilot realized he was "short" of the runway, he opened the throttle, pulled up on the collective, and attempted a go-around. However, the skids contacted the ground and the helicopter landed "hard." Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed the helicopter contacted the ground, 178 feet short of the paved part of the runway. Both landing gear skids made deep impressions in the soil just prior to a large rock. A second impact point was located at the beginning of the paved part of the runway, and skid marks were observed from the second impact point to the helicopter's final resting place, a distance of 31 feet. During the impact, the main rotor severed the tail boom. The pilot stated he experienced no mechanical problems with the helicopter. Winds reported at the airport at about the time of the accident, were from 290 degrees at 8 knots, with 15 knot gusts, variable between 270 and 360 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: N221DD (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22B - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0541 - Airframe hours: 2167 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Salvatore J. Falzone,Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 16, 1998, 54 hours before - Departed: AFN - Airport: AFN, Jaffrey, runway 34, 2,982 × 134 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 514 total, 343 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AFN ## 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 19990603046069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990603046069A), Jun 3, 1999: Robsin R22BETA, Jaffrey, NH, No damage. (-23) See attached narrative 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.