# NTSB FTW89LA120: Robinson R22, N888CG, Austin, TX, July 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1989, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.380319, -97.949447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3803&lon=-97.9494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA120

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN A SITUATION WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  HIGH TEMPERATURE, TAILWIND,  AND TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HELICOPTER WAS AT ABOUT 300' & 30 KTS, WHEN THE 'LOW RPM' LIGHT & HORN WERE ACTIVATED. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE & APPLIED THROTTLE, BUT SAID THERE WAS NO INCREASE IN POWER. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT THE 'ENGINE AND RPM WERE DOWN TO 70-80% AND STILL MARRIED. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE REALIZED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO RECOVER  AND APPLIED FULL COLLECTIVE AS THE HELICOPTER HIT THE TOPS OF TREES. ADDITIONALLY, HE SAID THAT AT NO TIME DID THE  OIL PRESSURE OR ALTERNATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATE. APRX 15 MI ESE AT AUSTIN, THE 1550 CDT WIND WAS FROM 170 DEG AT 15 GUSTING 20 KTS & THE TEMP WAS 96 DEG. AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT, THE HELICOPTER RPRTDLY HAD A TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N888CG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888CG-1997-08-27), registration cancelled 1997-08-27, S/N 0536 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-B2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-b2c) (registry code 42139, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 536
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alan Smith, doing business as Rotorwing Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Rotor Wing Services, Inc
- Departed: 3R3, AUSTIN, TX
- Airport: 3R3, Austin Executive Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 645 total, 93 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 15 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 19890702019189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890702019189A), Jul 2, 1989: Robsin R22, Austin, TX, Destroyed. Slowed to 30 knots at 300 feet with a gusty tailwind. Helicopter then descended with power into trees.

## Other investigations on N888CG (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 FTW95LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA041), Nov 11, 1994: Robinson R-22B (N888CG), Johnson City, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE TRAILER WHILE LANDING.

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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