# NTSB NYC86FA127: Robinson R-22A, N8511Z, East Fishkill, NY, May 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1986, 12:24 local (16:24 UTC)
- Place: East Fishkill, NY
- Coordinates: 41.57928, -73.799346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5793&lon=-73.7993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA127

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor - diverged
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor drive system,main rotor mast(drive shaft) - separation
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
  - rotorcraft flight control,collective control rod - fatigue
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE, ANOTHER PILOT ADVISED N8511Z THAT A COWL DOOR WAS OPEN.  THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED, BUT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT.  DURING THE VFR FLIGHT, WITNESSES HEARD A LOUD POP & OBSERVED THE R22 HELICOPTER BREAK APART IN FLIGHT. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED A LIGHT AIRPLANE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AT THE SAME TIME. THE TAIL BOOM WAS THE FIRST PIECE OF THE HELICOPTER FOUND ALONG THE 584' LONG WRECKAGE PATH. THE MAIN ROTOR SEPARATED FROM ITS DRIVE SHAFT & THERE WERE MULTIPLE STRIKES TO THE TAIL BOOM. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR HEAD COMPONENTS & EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE DIVERGING & STRIKING THE TAIL BOOM, RESULTING IN THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE TAIL BOOM. EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT COLLECTIVE CONTROL TUBE REVEALED A FATIGUE FRACTURE IN THE INBOARD WALL OF THE TUBE WHERE IT IS NORMALLY LIGHTLY LOADED. THE EVIDENCE DID NOT SUPPORT A CONCLUSION THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8511Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0415
- Airframe hours: 984
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dad'S Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 18, 1986
- Departed: POU, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY
- Destination: DXR, DANBURY, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 435 total, 61 in this make and model, 287 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: POU, 6 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 19860510016659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860510016659A), May 10, 1986: Robsin R22, East Fishkill, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On climbout was advised cowl door open. Ignored. Broke up inflight. Main rotors chopped tailboom. Cause unknown.

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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