# NTSB ATL92FA085: Robinson R-22, N2589X, Atlanta, GA, April 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1992, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.750743, -84.390014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7507&lon=-84.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA085

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER (WIND CONDITION), AND THE INFLIGHT DECISION TO HOVER WITH GUSTING TAILWINDS, WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS GUSTING TAILWINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD POSITIONED THE HELICOPTER ON AN EASTERLY HEADING TO ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO PHOTOGRAPH A CEMETERY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AS THE HELICOPTER SLOWED THROUGH TRANSLATIONAL LIFT, ADDITIONAL POWER AND LEFT PEDDLE WERE APPLIED TO MAINTAIN THE HOVER. WHILE HOVERING ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE HELICOPTER WAS HIT BY A STRONG WIND GUST, THE PILOT LOST TAIL ROTOR THRUST AND CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER.  EFFORTS TO ARREST THE UNCONTROLLABLE CONDITION FAILED. THE HELICOPTER LOST ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH THE MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING. WESTERLY GUSTING SURFACE WINDS, MAX 19 KNOTS, WERE RECORDED AT THE THREE LOCAL AIRPORTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE RESPECTIVE FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2589X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2589X-1997-12-06), registration cancelled 1997-12-06, S/N 667M (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 667M
- Airframe hours: 1642
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Carroll, Ronald
- Registered owner: Carroll, Ronald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 13, 1992, 53 hours before
- Departed: LZU, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 197 total, 197 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 18 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 19920422010639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920422010639A), Apr 22, 1992: Robsin R22MARINER, Atlanta, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost tail rotor effect hovering downwind on low altitude photo flight. Spun into building roof. Gusty surface wind.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.