Robinson R-22B accident near Ellington, Connecticut, May 12, 1991
On May 12, 1991 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N496TP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ellington, Connecticut (Ellington airport). It was a personal 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 FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WINDS, WHILE MANEUVERING CLOSE TO THE GROUND. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 1991 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ellington, Connecticut · Ellington
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N496TP · registry record · serial 1646
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING ABOUT 3 TO 4 FEET ABOVE THE GRASS. A STATIONARY RIGHT TURN WAS STARTED. THE PILOT SAID, '[I] CONTINUED TO TURN SLOWLY UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED IN THE TURN SHARPLY. [I] IMMEDIATELY APPLIED FULL LEFT PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE PEDAL STOP...THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SPIN WITHOUT SLOWING...' THE FAA INSPECTOR SAID, '...PROBABLY DUE TO A GUST OF WIND, THE PILOT...WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE SPIN...BEFORE THE REAR...SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND...[THEN] THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND.' THE CONTROLS WERE CHECKED FOR CONTINUITY AND NO MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 18 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 26 KNOTS.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 341 hours in all; 171 in this make and model; 249 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Tekton Preux Helicopters INC.
The flight
- Departed from: BED Bedford MA at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.