# NTSB ATL90FA117: Robinson R22 Beta, N8064K, Griffin, GA, May 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1990, 19:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Griffin, GA
- Coordinates: 33.290802, -84.280418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2908&lon=-84.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA117

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.  THE PRESENCE OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE LOW ROTOR RPM LIGHT ILLUMINATED.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REACH A CLEAR AREA FOR LANDING, BUT THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A TREE & THEN THE GROUND.  WITNESSES AT THE SCENE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOST POWER INFLIGHT; HOWEVER, NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT HAD LOGGED ABOUT 4298 HOURS OF FLYING TIME, BUT HE ONLY HAD ABOUT 98 HOURS IN HELICOPTERS.  HE HAD RECEIVED HIS HELICOPTER RATING ONLY EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8064K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8064K-1993-06-16), registration cancelled 1993-06-16, S/N 1257 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22 BETA
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1257
- Airframe hours: 89
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Management Counsel, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 4A7, HAMPTON, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,298 total, 89 in this make and model, 4,083 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 23 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900523017079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900523017079A), May 23, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Griffin, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine lost power low rotor lite. Hit tree and crashed,open area. No engine defects.

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.

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