# NTSB NYC89LA139: Robinson R-22A, N8462S, Southampton, MA, June 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1989, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Southampton, MA
- Location: 42.2293° N, 72.7301° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Southampton, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2293&lon=-72.7301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA139

## Probable cause

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A SECTION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER FAILING INFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - stabilizer - previous damage
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other person (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise - normal
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - disabled
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE HEARD A NOISE AND THEN THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER YAWED TO THE RIGHT. WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW PIECES FALL FROM THE HELICOPTER AS IT CAME DOWN AND PART OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WITH THE TAIL SKID WAS FOUND HALF A MILE AWAY. THE PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION AND ATTEMPTED TO KEEP THE SKIDS LEVEL. THE AIRCRAFT WENT DOWN INTO THE TREES, HIT THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE. AN UNAUTHORIZED REPAIR ON THE VERTICAL STABILIZER FAILED ALLOWING THE PIECE TO HIT THE TAILROTOR AND CAUSED A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8462S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David  S.  Robinson
- Registered owner: David Robinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: AMHERST, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 309 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19890630019169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890630019169A), Jun 30, 1989: Robsin R22, South Hampton, MA, Substantial damage. Improper weld broke on vertical stabilizer. Severed part hit tail rotor. Lost control autorotated into trees.

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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