Robinson R-22B N8041J

Summary

On 15 January 1999 at about 20:38 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N8041J, operated by Mustang Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Fairfield, New Jersey, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 January 1999 at 20:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairfield, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Caldwell Essex County (CDW)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Robinson R-22B

Registration

N8041J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Mustang Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD99LA028

Nobody was injured.

The flight instructor's failure to maintain rotor rpm and his failure to complete the autorotational descent. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's failure to fully deploy carburetor heat as directed in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot was receiving dual instruction in the helicopter in atmospheric conditions conducive to carburetor icing. A 'straight-in autorotation with power recovery' was entered with only partial carburetor heat applied. When throttle was applied for the power recovery, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor said the engine and rotor RPM decayed simultaneously and the helicopter suffered a hard landing. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, full carburetor heat was to be applied during autorotation. After the accident, the flight instructor reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter and the engine started and ran on the airframe.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.