Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Dayton, New Jersey, July 20, 2011
On July 20, 2011 at about 3:26 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N83509, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Dayton, New Jersey. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during an out-of-ground-effect hover, which resulted in a loss of control due to settling with power and loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2011 · about 3:26 pm local time
- Place
- Dayton, New Jersey · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N83509 · no longer on the register · serial 3269
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot slowed the helicopter to an out-of-ground-effect hover at an altitude of 400 to 500 feet above ground level (agl) while performing a photography mission. The photographer asked for a different vantage point; as the pilot explained that wind and high power demands would prevent him from accommodating the request, the helicopter began to "settle with power." The pilot attempted to arrest the descent with a reduction of power and a forward cyclic input. As the pilot took the corrective action, the helicopter yawed to the right and began to rotate around the main rotor mast. He reduced the throttle to idle to arrest the spin, and the yaw rate slowed. However, the spin continued as the helicopter descended through about 250 feet agl. The pilot stated that the helicopter was still spinning when it struck the ground upright. Review of an audio recording from a video camera aboard the helicopter indicated that the low rotor rpm audio alarm was on during the final 7 seconds of the flight. A witness reported that the engine ran "fine" and "perfectly" all the way to ground contact. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. The helicopter was operating in a high-power, low-airspeed condition that required the pilot to be especially aware of wind direction in order to avoid tailwinds, which can result in a loss of control due to settling with power and/or a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Although the pilot’s comment to the photographer indicated that he was concerned about the wind angle, it is likely that he did not maintain a nose-into-the-wind position. When the helicopter began to settle with power, the rotor rpm dropped, and the tail rotor lost effectiveness. There was insufficient altitude for the pilot to affect a recovery before the helicopter impacted the ground.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Settling with power/vortex ring state during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Loss of tail rotor effectiveness during maneuvering (hover)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 430 hours in all; 90 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,000 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 16, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Nassau Helicopters INC
The flight
- Departed from: 39N Princeton NJ at 2:45 pm
- Destination: Princeton NJ
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KTTN, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.