# Accident 20040824032109A: Robsin R22BETA, West Palm Beach, FL, August 24, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 24, 2004, 15:00 local time
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Sfl Autorotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: IGIS
- Location: 26.5928° N, 80.0850° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5928&lon=-80.0850&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4062X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4062X-2007-05-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22BETA
- Reported engine: LYC O320B2C
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,278 total, 1,140 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA04LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA122) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040824032109A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON AUGUST 24, 2004, ABOUT 1500 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A ROBINSON R-22, N4062X, REGISTERED TO AIRMAN TESTING AND TRAINING INC., AND OPERATED BY PALM BEACH HELICOPTER, CRASHED DURING AN AUTOROTATION IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE HELICOPTER INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT REPORTED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT HAD ORIGINATED FROM THE PALM BEACH COUNTY PARK, FLORIDA, EARLIER THAT DAY. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED TO THE FIRE RESCUE CREW THAT HE AND THE STUDENT PILOT WERE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS FROM AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 500 FEET AGL. ON THE LAST AUTOROTATION THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND DID NOT RESPOND TO THE POWER SETTINGS. THE INSTRUCTOR MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER TO AN OPEN FIELD UNDER CONSTRUCTION BEFORE LANDING HARD. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE. FOLLOWING RECOVERY OF THE HELICOPTER, THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND OPERATED AT IDLE RPM WHILE STILL INSTALLED ON THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER, UNDER FAA SUPERVISION, AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA04LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA122), Aug 24, 2004: Robinson R-22 (N4062X), West Palm Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to low cylinder compression during recovery from a practice autorotation resulting in a hard landing and damage to the helicopter.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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