# NTSB NYC87LA222: Robinson R22, N2285Z, Burrville, RI, August 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1987, 16:46 local (20:46 UTC)
- Place: Burrville, RI
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 200 FEET. PILOT ATTEMPTED TO AUTOROTATE BACK TO THE LAKE BUT DURING A TURN TO AVOID COLLISION WITH A BOAT, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE WATER. THE REASON FOR THE ENGINE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE PLT STATED HE BELIEVED THE ENG FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF WATER IN THE AIR FILTER STARVING THE ENGINE OF AIR. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ACFT ENG WAS INVERTED IN THE WATER FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR. IT WAS NOT ESTABLISHED HOW MUCH FUEL, IF ANY, REMAINED IN THE ACFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2285Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2285Z-2000-01-11), registration cancelled 2000-01-11, S/N 0511M (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0511M
- Airframe hours: 236
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Training Academy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1987, 85 hours before
- Departed: 3B3, STERLING, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,220 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,920 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870805043059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870805043059A), Aug 5, 1987: Robsin R22, Burrville, RI, Substantial damage. Engine failure at 200 ft. autorotation into water. Aircraft went over on its back. Cause indicates fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N2285Z (1)

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 ATL00LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA003), Oct 25, 1999: Robinson R-22-MARINER (N2285Z), West Boca Raton, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's delayed response in taking remedial action during a practice autorotation. Factors were his inadequate planned approach and his improper use of powerplant controls.

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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