# NTSB NYC90LA015: Robinson R22, N8024W, Bethpage, NY, October 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1989, 07:20 local (11:20 UTC)
- Place: Bethpage, NY
- Coordinates: 40.740673, -73.480545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7407&lon=-73.4805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA015

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE HELICOPTER DURING A POWER OFF AUTOROTATION RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERING THE TAILBOOM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY WIND AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT AND POWERPLANT CONTROLS IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON A TRAFFIC REPORTING FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE TWICE WITH NO SUCCESS AND LANDED DOWNWIND ON THE SOUTH SERVICE ROAD OF THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY. THIS WAS THE BEST PLACE TO LAND WITHOUT CAUSING INJURY TO PEOPLE OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY ON THE GROUND. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 48 DEGREES AND THERE WAS LIGHT RAIN. ON OCTOBER 26, 1989, THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND IT RAN WITHOUT ANY DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8024W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8024W-1991-11-05), registration cancelled 1991-11-05, S/N 1047 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1047
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: American Helicopters Corp.
- Departed: ISP, ISLIP, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,462 total, 630 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °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 19891019043869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891019043869A), Oct 19, 1989: Robsin R22BETA, Bethpage, NY, Substantial damage. Reported engine out on traffic watch. Made hard downwind landing on freeway. Engine ran normal after accident.

## Other investigations on N8024W (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 CHI91LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA199), Jun 21, 1991: Robinson R-22 (N8024W), Faribault, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS WAS NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A GUSTY CROSSWIND LANDING ENVIRONMENT.

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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