# NTSB MIA86FA199: Robinson R22, N2385X, Islamorada, FL, July 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1986, 14:02 local (18:02 UTC)
- Place: Islamorada, FL
- Coordinates: 24.920234, -80.629081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.9202&lon=-80.6291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA199

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE HELICOPTER FLYING AT APPROXIMATELY 8 TO 10 FEET OFF THE WATER. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A LEFT TURN AND AS THE TURN PROGRESSED THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED STRIKING THE WATER WITH A SKID AND CARTWHEELING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2385X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2385X-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 0537 (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: 0537
- Airframe hours: 465
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 3, 1986, 65 hours before
- Destination: FXE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 885 total, 74 in this make and model, 780 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 43 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 19860704030229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860704030229A), Jul 4, 1986: Robsin R22BETA, Islamorada, FL, Destroyed. Helicopter impacted water during low level turn. Pilot failed to file a report and gave conflicting statements.

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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