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N8347Y accident description

Virginia map... Virginia list
Crash location 37.433333°N, 79.083333°W
Nearest city Madison Heights, VA
37.430976°N, 79.123080°W
2.2 miles away
Tail number N8347Y
Accident date 29 Jul 2002
Aircraft type Robinson R-22B
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

On July 29, 2002, about 2030 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22B, N8347Y, was substantially damaged while landing on a private helipad, in Madison Heights, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Hampton Roads Executive Airport (PVG), Portsmouth, Virginia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said he departed from his residence at 0700, and flew to PVG to complete a 100-hour inspection on the helicopter. He departed PVG about 1830 for the return flight home. When he arrived, he was "very tired" and attempted to land on a "very tight helipad" in front of the building where the helicopter was hangared. As the helicopter touched down, it was not far enough on the helipad and began to tilt backward. The pilot attempted to correct the helicopter's position; however, it rolled over and struck the ground.

The pilot further stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the helicopter. He reported 97 hours of total flight experience, all in the R-22.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the helipad, which resulted in a rollover. A factor in this accident was pilot fatigue.

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