# NTSB FTW90LA188: Robinson R22, N2550B, Albany, TX, September 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1990, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Albany, TX
- Coordinates: 32.720546, -99.289962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7205&lon=-99.2900&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 December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA188

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS DUE TO THE INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BY THE PASSENGER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,selector/valve - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - information insufficient, passenger (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING MANEUVERED AT A LOW ALTITUDE (APPROXIMATELY 70 TO 80 FEET AGL) AND A LOW AIRSPEED DURING A COYOTE HUNT WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AS THE PILOT INITIATED A LEFT BANKING TURN. A DOWNWIND AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED AND A HARD LANDING RESULTED. THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH LOCATED NEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE 'ON' AND 'OFF' POSITION. APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 6 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE TANK. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY MOVED THE SWITCH AS HE WAS SHOOTING FROM THE DOORWAY DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2550B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2550B), registered now, S/N 0611 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0611
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Lange Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 14,558 total, 8,914 in this make and model, 13,858 as pilot in command, 295 in the last 90 days, 111 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900929043369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900929043369A), Sep 29, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Albany, TX, Substantial damage. While looking for coyotes engine quit. Hard landing ensued .found fuel selector between on and off near passenger.

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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