Robinson R-22B accident near Waterford, Pennsylvania, April 20, 2003
On April 20, 2003 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N7192M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Waterford, Pennsylvania. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the collision with the wire. Factors in the accident were the concealment of the poles by trees, the lack of contrast between the wire and grass field.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 20, 2003 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Waterford, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N7192M · no longer on the register · serial 3212
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Once at his planned destination, the pilot conducted a high reconnaissance at 800 feet agl, and maneuvered the helicopter to land in an open field. While on short final and approximately 15 feet agl, the pilot slowed the helicopter to approximately 10 knots, and while trying to identify a level area to land in, struck a wire between the cockpit and main rotor system. The helicopter entered an uncontrolled vertical descent, impacted the ground skids first, and came to rest upright. The field the pilot was attempting to land in was green, the poles were concealed by trees, and the wire was oxidized to a shade of green. In addition, the owner of the property was in the field, and pointing at the wire, but the pilot interpreted his gestures, as he wanted him to stop so he could take a picture of the helicopter.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 462 hours in all; 215 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 381 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 23, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 675 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 4, 2003; 76.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BVI Beaver Falls PA at 2:35 pm
- Destination: NONE Waterford PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 11:45 pm from LBE, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N7192M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.