Robinson R22B accident near Millville, New Jersey, October 30, 1991
On October 30, 1991 at about 1:25 pm local time, a Robinson R22B (helicopter), registered N502TH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Millville, New Jersey (Millville Municipal 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 PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 30, 1991 · about 1:25 pm local time
- Place
- Millville, New Jersey · Millville Municipal
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22B · all R22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N502TH · registry record · serial 0846
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL IN THE COCKPIT. DURING LANDING THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER. THE WIND WAS FROM 020 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS WITH PEAK GUSTS TO 18. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLYING TIME OF 117 HOURS WITH 65 HOURS PILOT IN COMMAND.
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: 117 hours in all; 117 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 65 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 1900
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Titan Helocopter Services,Inc.
The flight
- Destination: TGI Tangier Island VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 32, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- 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.