# NTSB WPR19CA052: Robinson R22, N8319T, Hayward, CA, December 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 28, 2018, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Hayward, CA - Coordinates: 37.663887, -122.128051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6639&lon=-122.1281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 98822 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19CA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98822/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98822 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19CA052 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird during low-altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings at the airport. The student took off from taxiway Z and flew a right traffic pattern with the intent to land on taxiway A. As the helicopter was making a right crosswind turn over a golf course at 300 ft above ground level, a large bird flew out of the trees and struck the tail rotor. The flight instructor took over control of the helicopter as it began to yaw, and he subsequently initiated an autorotation to the golf course, and the helicopter landed hard. The tailboom and fuselage were substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Bird remains identified as a turkey vulture were found on the golf course. The average weight of the species is 4 lbs. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings at the airport. The student took off from spot C (taxiway Z), flying a right traffic pattern with the intent to land on taxiway A. As the helicopter was making a right crosswind turn over a golf course at an altitude of about 300 ft above ground level, a large bird flew out of the trees and struck the tail rotor. The flight instructor took over control as the helicopter began to yaw and he subsequently initiated an auto rotation to the golf course. As a result of a hard landing, the tailboom and fuselage were substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Bird remains were found on the golf course and were identified as a Turkey Vulture. The average weight of the species is 4 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8319T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8319T-2021-03-11), registration cancelled 2021-03-11, S/N 2488, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 (BETA) - 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: 2488 - Year built: 1994 - Airframe hours: 13508 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 2018, 35 hours before - Departed: KHWD, Hayward, CA - Destination: KHWD, Hayward, CA - Airport: KHWD, Hayward Executive - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 37; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,116 total, 900 in this make and model, 999 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 52; injuries: none; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 17.7 total, 17.7 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KHWD ## 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 20181228024899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181228024899A), Dec 28, 2018: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. On 12/28/2018 at approximatly 10:45 am local time, Robinson Helicopter N8319T was being used to provide pilot training. The aircraft was cleared to take-off… ## Other investigations on N8319T (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 ATL97LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA036), Jan 31, 1997: Robinson R22 (N8319T), Wiggins, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot misjudged rotor blade clearance from a utility pole, which resulted in a collision. The proximity of the pole was a related factor. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98822. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Bird Identification Report (item 2, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bird%20Identification%20Report-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF 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.