NTSB Factual Report

On November 5, 2001, at 1530 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22 BETA, N888BD, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground while landing at the Toledo Suburban Airport (5G9), Lambertville, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Lambertville, Michigan, at an undetermined time.

In his written statement, the pilot said he was giving rides to friends. "On my third trip I taxied to a grass tie down area where I had landed on my previous flights. I was hovering at 3 feet. The helicopter started [a] translating tendency to the right. I tried to correct but it turned 180 degrees and the tail rotor struck the ground and then the right skid dug in. The chopper then went into dynamic rollover on its righ[t] side."

A witness reported seeing the helicopter come in for a landing. The witness said the helicopter over-flared and the tail and tail rotor struck the terrain. The helicopter then impacted onto its skids. The right skid separated from the fuselage and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter at the scene. The helicopter's main rotor blades were broken. The tail rotor was separated and the boom was broken upward. The transmission mounts were bent. The cross tubes for the skids were bent and bowed. Control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine and other helicopter systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare during landing.