# NTSB NYC88LA169: Robinson R22HP, N622SC, Copake Falls, NY, June 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1988, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Copake Falls, NY
- Coordinates: 42.139675, -73.499023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1397&lon=-73.4990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - sheared
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION TO AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A WIRE THAT HAD NOT BEEN OBSERVED. AN ATTEMPT TO FLY OVER THE WIRE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE TAIL ROTOR AND AFT 1/3 OF THE TAIL CONE WAS SEVERED FROM THE HELICOPTER. A HOVERING AUTOROTATION FROM 20 FEET AGL WAS THEN PERFORMED WHICH RESULTED IN BENT SKIDS AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES BEING DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N622SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N622SC-2012-03-26), registration cancelled 2012-03-26, S/N 0052, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22HP
- 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: 0052
- Airframe hours: 1995
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Training Academy
- Registered owner: Fuller Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: DXR, DANBURY, CT
- Destination: PSF, PITTSFIELD, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 974 total, 969 in this make and model, 909 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19880618024309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880618024309A), Jun 18, 1988: Robsin R22, Copake Falls, NY, Substantial damage. Demonstrating an autorotation to the observer onboard, tail rotor struck unseen powerline, severed tail rotor.

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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