# NTSB MIA92LA073: Robinson R-22 Alpha, N85570, Juno Beach, FL, January 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1992, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Juno Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.839277, -80.050567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8393&lon=-80.0506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA073

## Probable cause

IMPROPER COLLECTIVE AND CYCLIC CONTROL INPUTS AND POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - collective - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - cyclic - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING 100 YDS OFFSHORE, 50 FT ABOVE THE WATER, AT 50 KTS, THE FLT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE & BEGAN DESCENDING.  THE PLT APPLIED UP COLLECTIVE & AFT CYCLIC CONTROL INPUTS TO ARREST THE DESCENT BUT THE DESCENT CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85570](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85570-1993-12-27), registration cancelled 1993-12-27, S/N 0465 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22 ALPHA
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0465
- Airframe hours: 3563
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fly By Helicopters Corporation
- Registered owner: Fly By Helicopters Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 7, 1992, 78 hours before
- Departed: LNA, WEST PALM BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 640 total, 640 in this make and model, 582 as pilot in command, 241 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 10 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19920131001559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920131001559A), Jan 31, 1992: Robsin R22ALPHA, Juno Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Struck ocean water while flying low offshore fish spotting. Blamed downdraft.

## Other investigations on N85570 (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 NYC87LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA122), Apr 12, 1987: Robinson R22 (N85570), Pottstown, PA, substantial damage

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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