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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 5, 2001 · Robinson R22 BETA · N888BD

Lambertville, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lambertville, MI
Aircraft
Robinson R22 BETA
Tail Number
N888BD
Operator
Edward G Binkelman
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA021

The pilot said he was giving helicopter rides to friends. "On my third trip I taxied to a grass tie down area where I had landed on my previous flights. I was hovering at 3 feet. The helicopter started [a] translating tendency to the right. I tried to correct but it turned 180 degrees and the tail rotor struck the ground and then the right skid dug in. The chopper then went into dynamic rollover on its righ[t] side." A witness reported seeing the helicopter come in for a landing. The witness said the helicopter over-flared and the tail and tail rotor struck the terrain. The helicopter then impacted onto its skids. The right skid separated from the fuselage and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. An examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare during landing.

Full Narrative

On November 5, 2001, at 1530 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22 BETA, N888BD, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground while landing at the Toledo Suburban Airport (5G9), Lambertville, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Lambertville, Michigan, at an undetermined time. In his written statement, the pilot said he was giving rides to friends. "On my third trip I taxied to a grass tie down area where I had landed on my previous flights. I was hovering at 3 feet. The helicopter started [a] translating tendency to the right. I tried to correct but it turned 180 degrees and the tail rotor struck the ground and then the right skid dug in. The chopper then went into dynamic rollover on its righ[t] side." A witness reported seeing the helicopter come in for a landing. The witness said the helicopter over-flared and the tail and tail rotor struck the terrain. The helicopter then impacted onto its skids. The right skid separated from the fuselage and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter at the scene. The helicopter's main rotor blades were broken. The tail rotor was separated and the boom was broken upward. The transmission mounts were bent. The cross tubes for the skids were bent and bowed. Control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine and other helicopter systems revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EST
Nearest AirportToledo Suburban Airport (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22 BETA
Tail NumberN888BD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEdward G Binkelman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 25 C
Altimeter30.30 inHg
Observation Time20:38
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data