# NTSB MIA93LA004: Robinson R22 Beta, N2321X, Naples, FL, October 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1992, 12:26 local (16:26 UTC)
- Place: Naples, FL
- Location: 26.1524° N, 81.7756° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NAPLES MUNI (APF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1524&lon=-81.7756&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 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA004

## Probable cause

INCORRECT AIRSPEED, INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PERFORM THE CORRECT EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOLLOWING THE IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS SELF INDUCED PRESSURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING HIS FIRST PASS WHILE OVER TREES, FOR A PHOTOGRAPHIC RUN, THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT YAWING TENDENCY. DURING THE SECOND PASS AT THE SAME AIRSPEED BUT AT A LOWER ALTITUDE (BETWEEN 25 AND 50 FT ABOVE THE TREES) THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED RT YAW. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL AND PUSHED THE CYCLIC BUT DID NOT ADJUST THE THROTTLE. THE SPINNING DESCENT CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE TREES THEN THE GROUND. EXAM OF THE DAMAGED TAIL ROTOR BLADES BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR INDICATE EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE PLT'S BOSS WAS THE PHOTOGRAPHER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2321X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2321X-2000-12-08), registration cancelled 2000-12-08, S/N 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R22 BETA
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1976
- Airframe hours: 460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: The London Co.
- Registered owner: The London Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 1992, 60 hours before
- Departed: APF
- Airport: APF, Naples Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 912 total, 79 in this make and model, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APF, 1 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 19921005045269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921005045269A), Oct 5, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Naples, FL, Substantial damage. Slow pass downwind for photos. Entered loss of tail rotor effectiveness and spun into trees.

## Other investigations on N2321X (2)

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 ATL99LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA033), Dec 10, 1998: Robinson R-22B (N2321X), Lantana, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of the flight controls during an attempted autorotation.
- [NTSB MIA95LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA128), May 7, 1995: Robinson R22 Beta (N2321X), Miami, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI FOR ALLOWING THE STUDENT TO INITIATE INITIAL FLARE AND POWER RECOVERY AT 100 FEET INSTEAD OF 40 FEET AND 40 FEET INSTEAD OF 8-10 FEET RESPECTIVELY. ADDITIONALLY,…

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.