Robinson R-22 accident near Sterling, Massachusetts, June 13, 1987
On June 13, 1987 at about 8:12 pm local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N351, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sterling, Massachusetts (Sterling airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 1987 · about 8:12 pm local time
- Place
- Sterling, Massachusetts · Sterling
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · all R-22s on the register
- Registration
- N351 · no longer on the register · serial 0319
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE PRACTICING HOVERING IN THE DESIGNATED HOVER AREA AT THE ARPT, THE STU PLT ACCIDENTLY PULLED AFT CYCLIC WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS DRIFTING BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED THE TAIL STRUCTURE AND ROTOR BLADES TO CONTACT THE GROUND. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES THEN CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED IT, THROWING IT ABT 50 FT IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. THE INSTRUCTOR ADDED FORWARD CYCLIC, ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE, AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER STRAIGHT AHEAD.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 669 hours in all; 285 in this make and model; 212 in the last 90 days; 559 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,978 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 3, 1987
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Fuller Aviation CORP.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34L, 2,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.