# NTSB NYC88LA210: Robinson R22, N90789, Ashburnham, MA, August 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1988, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Ashburnham, MA
- Location: 42.6362° N, 71.9079° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ashburnham, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6362&lon=-71.9079&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA210

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WERE MAKING A PRACTICE PINNACLE APPROACH. THE STUDENT PILOT TRIED TO TERMINATE THE DESCENT, BUT WAS UNABLE AND A LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN TOOK PLACE. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE BUT THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR FAILED TO REALIZE THE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS OF THE HELICOPTER WERE BEING EXCEEDED IN TIME TO TERMINATE THE APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90789](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90789-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 0293, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- 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: 0293
- Airframe hours: 3711
- 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: AAIP, July 29, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: 3B3, STERLING, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 703 total, 295 in this make and model, 618 as pilot in command, 219 in the last 90 days, 93 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19880805031069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880805031069A), Aug 5, 1988: Robsin R22, Ashburnham, MA, Substantial damage. Developed excessive descent rate on practice pinnacle approach to a hill top. Struck ground 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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