Robinson R-22A accident near Fairfield, New Jersey, May 27, 1995
On May 27, 1995 at about 7:41 pm local time, a Robinson R-22A (helicopter), registered N8541E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fairfield, New Jersey (Essex County airport). It was an instructional 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 student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. The student's lack of experience in the type of operation (solo flight) was a related factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 1995 · about 7:41 pm local time
- Place
- Fairfield, New Jersey · Essex County
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22A · all R-22As on the register
- Registration
- N8541E · registry record · serial 0442
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT HAD BEEN PRACTICING HOVERING AND LANDINGS IN A GRASS AREA WEST OF THE RUNWAY FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES. AFTER CONDUCTING NUMEROUS LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS AND WITH THE HELICOPTER FIRMLY ON THE GROUND, SHE REMOVED HER HAND FROM THE THROTTLE AND COLLECTIVE, BECAUSE HER HAND HAD BECOME FATIGUED FROM OPERATING THE CONTROLS. HER NEXT RECOLLECTION WAS THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS OFF THE GROUND, APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 FEET. SHE DID NOT RECALL WHAT HAPPENED NEXT, EXCEPT THAT SHE FOUND HERSELF ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEPARATED. THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE ANY MECHANICAL DIFFICULTY WITH THE HELICOPTER. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE STUDENT PILOT HAD 5 HOURS OF SOLO FLIGHT TIME.
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: student
- Flight time: 69 hours in all; 56 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 5 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,128 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 28, 1995; 85 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Eagle Helicopters, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: CDW at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4, 4,553 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:45 pm from CDW
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.
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.