# NTSB NYC87FA160: Robinson R22 Mariner, N2287L, So. Windsor, CT, June 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1987, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: So. Windsor, CT
- Location: 41.8237° N, 72.6212° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Windsor, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8237&lon=-72.6212&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA160

## 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, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor - diverged
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT & FLT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) TOOK OFF ON A TRAINING FLT IN A ROBINSON R22 MARINER (FLOAT EQUIPPED) HELICOPTER. DRG THE RETURN FLT FM A PRACTICE AREA, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED. BFR THE ACDNT, 2 WITNESSES HEARD THE HELICOPTER, BUT DID NOT SEE IT UNTIL AFTER THEY HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE. ONE WITNESS SAID HE 'HEARD A LOUD PING, LIKE METAL AGAINST METAL.' AT ABOUT THAT TIME, BOTH WITNESSES NOTED AN INTERUPTION IN ENG PWR & SAW PIECES COMING OFF THE HELICOPTER AS IT FELL TO THE GND. IT CRASHED IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE & BURNED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HAD STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM & THE ENTIRE TAIL ASSEMBLY (INCLUDING STABILIZERS, TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX & TAIL ROTOR) HAD SEPD. THE TAIL ASSEMBLY FELL TO THE GND APRX 250' FM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. NO PRE-EXISTING MECH PROBLEMS OR SEVERE MAST BUMPING WERE EVIDENT. THE CFI HAD 451 HRS OF FLT TIME, ALL IN R22 HELICOPTERS. IN THE PREV 5 DAYS, HE HAD FLOWN 2 HRS IN FLOAT EQUIPPED (MARINER) R22'S & HAD MADE WATER LANDINGS, BUT NO INSTRUCTION IN THE MARINER OR ITS DIFFERENCES WAS VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2287L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2287L-1991-12-12), registration cancelled 1991-12-12, S/N 0512M (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22 MARINER (R22 MARINE)
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0512M
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 130 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: No.East Helicopters, doing business as Northeast Air
- Registered owner: Geoffrey D Wyler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 1987
- Departed: ELLINGTON, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 451 total, 451 in this make and model, 401 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19870603080599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870603080599A), Jun 3, 1987: Robsin R22MARINER, South Windsor, CT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Practicing autorotation. Blade struck due to low rotor RPM. Aft end of tail cone separated. Crashed out of control.

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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