# NTSB NYC85FHJ06: Robinson R-22, N90716, Ronkonkoma, NY, September 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1985, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Ronkonkoma, NY
- Coordinates: 40.800548, -73.119659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8005&lon=-73.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FHJ06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FHJ06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE HOVERING STUDENT PILOT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC AND THE FLT INSTRUCTOR COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE TAXIWAY. HELICOPTER ROTATED VIOLENTLY AND ROLLED OVER AND TO REST ON THE SKIDS. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90716](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90716-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 0204, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 204
- Airframe hours: 637
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eastern Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 3, 1984, 51 hours before
- Departed: ISP, RONKONKOMA, NY
- Airport: ISP, Long Isl. Macarthur

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,070 total, 1,070 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 226 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ISP, 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 19850919067519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850919067519A), Sep 19, 1985: Robsin R22, Islip, NY, Destroyed. Student misapplied cyclic, froze at the control when instructor tried to take over. Hit tail rotor and rolled over.

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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