Robinson R-22 BETA N8311A

Summary

On 9 May 1995 at about 01:30 local time, a Robinson R-22 BETA registered N8311A was involved in an accident near Toano, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 May 1995 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Toano, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

37.3701, -76.7992

Aircraft

Robinson R-22 BETA

Registration

N8311A

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

NYC95FA103

1 person died.

The pilot misjudged altitude and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the landing area and collision with water. Contributing factors are inadequate helipad lighting and a dark night light condition.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER DEPARTED ON A LOCAL FLIGHT FROM THEIR BOAT ROOF HELIPAD. AFTER A SHORT FLIGHT, THEY LANDED IN A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. AT 2125, ON A MOONLESS NIGHT WITH AN OVERCAST SKY, THE PILOT AND PASSENGER DEPARTED FROM THE PARKING LOT FOR THE 1 MILE FLIGHT BACK TO THEIR HELIPAD. ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT SLOWED THE HELICOPTER AND DESCENDED INTO THE WATER, ABOUT 500 FEET SHORT OF THE PAD. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE HELICOPTER, BUT ONLY THE PASSENGER WAS RESCUED BY BOAT. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURES. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT SHE HEARD NO ABNORMAL NOISES, NOR OBSERVED ANY OF THE HELICOPTER'S CAUTION PANEL LIGHTS PRIOR TO WATER CONTACT. THE PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 150 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, ALL IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL HELICOPTER. THE BOAT ROOF HELIPAD WAS NOT LIGHTED. A SINGLE FLOOD LIGHT UNDER THE ROOF ILLUMINATED A JET-SKI. FAA ADVISROY CIRCULAT 150/5390-2A RECOMMENDS, IN PART, THAT THE PERIMETER OF PRIVATE HELIPORTS BE ILLUMINATED WITH YELLOW LIGHTS OR FLOODLIGHTS. THE APPROACH PATH TO THE PAD WAS OVER WATER, WITH RISING TERRAIN AND 75 FOOT TREES BEYOND THE PAD. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT IT WAS A VERY DARK NIGHT. THE FAA AIRMEN INFORMATION MANUAL INDICATES AN ABSENCE OF GROUND FEATURES, AS WHEN LANDING OVER WATER, DARKENED AREAS...CAN CREATE THE ILLUSION THAT THE AIRCRAFT IS AT A HIGHER ALTITUDE THAN IT ACTUALLY IS. ACCORDING TO AIMS, THE PILOT WHO DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS ILLUSION WILL FLY A LOWER APPROACH.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.