# NTSB NYC91LA071: Robinson R-22 Alpha, N8555K, Coram, NY, February 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1991, 15:37 local (20:37 UTC)
- Place: Coram, NY
- Coordinates: 40.870002, -73.000091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8700&lon=-73.0001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA071

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AND MISJUDGING THE HEIGHT OF THE FLARE DURING A PRECAUTIONARY AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, RESULTING IN A ROLL OVER DURING THE LANDING FLARE TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

N8555K WAS ENROUTE FROM SHIRLEY, NEW YORK, TO ISLIP, NEW YORK, AT A CRUISING ALTITUDE OF 1100 FEET WHEN THE PILOT HEARD A PERSISTENT NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT.  HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.  THE NOISE PERSISTED THROUGHOUT DESCENT.  AT APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS WAS LOST, AND THE HELICOPTER SKID MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND CAUSING A ROLL OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8555K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8555K-1992-02-07), registration cancelled 1992-02-07, S/N 0446 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22 ALPHA
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0446
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: American Helicopter Corp
- Registered owner: American Helicopter Corp
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: HWV, SHIRLEY, NY
- Destination: ISP, RONKONKOMA, NY
- Airport: NONE, Coram Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,840 total, 157 in this make and model, 1,607 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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