# NTSB MIA95TA159: Robinson R22, N869BD, Windemere, FL, June 26, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1995, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Windemere, FL
- Location: 28.1378° N, 82.4363° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Windemere, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1378&lon=-82.4363&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95TA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95TA159

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND IN THAT HE FAILED TO DRAIN ALL THE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM, RESULTING IN AN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT DURING THE AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - contamination,water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Hard landing, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION AND NOTED CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE FIELD THAT HE HAD SELECTED. HE DEVIATED AWAY FROM THE FIELD AND LANDED HARD. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A LARGE QUANTITY OF WATER.

## Factual narrative

On June 26, 1995, about 1300 eastern daylight time, N869BD, a Robinson R22, operated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as a 14 CFR Part 91 local surveillance flight, crashed in Windemere, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot and observer received serious injuries. The flight had originated about 15 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated and witnesses reported the engine failed and the pilot executed an autorotation to the edge of a clearing and struck trees. Examination of the helicopter revealed over 1 gallon of water in the fuel tank and water in the carburetor bowl and gascolator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N869BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N869BD-1998-05-08), registration cancelled 1998-05-08, S/N 0869 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 869
- Airframe hours: 3561
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-2BC 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fl Dept Of Law Enforcement
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 31, 1995, 62 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 18,179 total, 5,900 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 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 19950626014949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950626014949A), Jun 26, 1995: Robsin R22BETA, Windemer, FL, Substantial damage. Engine failed on police surveilance flight. Autorotated to edge of clearing. Struck trees. Water in fuel.

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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