Robinson R-22 BETA accident near Toano, VA
On May 9, 1995, a Robinson R-22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Toano, VA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 9, 1995
- Place
- Toano, VA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.370°N, 76.799°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03520
Official records · NYC95FA103
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 8, 1995, at 2130 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R- 22 Beta, N8311A, was substantially damaged during a water landing in Toano, Virginia. The private pilot received fatal injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, for the personal flight that originated in Toano, Virginia. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During an interview with the passenger, who was also the pilot's wife, she stated that they departed from their boat-port- roof helipad, about 1900. During the flight, they landed at an airport in Newport News, Virginia, and refueled. When they departed this airport, they flew to a restaurant in Toano, and landed in the rear parking lot. About 2125, they departed from the restaurant parking lot for the 1 mile flight home. The passenger stated that the pilot slowed the helicopter, as he usually did, on final approach to the helipad. He brought the helicopter to a hover over the water and started to descend downward. At one point, the passenger made a comment to her husband, "I think we are too close to the water." The passenger further stated that her husband tried to pull up or back, when she heard the "tail rotor contact the water," followed by the helicopter settling into the water. The pilot shut off switches, and they both exited from the right side of the helicopter. The passenger stated that she heard no abnormal noises, nor observed any lights illuminated on the panel, prior to contact with the water. After the helicopter sank, the pilot and pa
Probable cause
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.
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Browse: Virginia · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
