# NTSB NYC91LA241: Robinson R22B, N2289K, Wexford, PA, September 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1991, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Wexford, PA
- Coordinates: 40.629745, -80.049743 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6297&lon=-80.0497&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 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA241

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PROCEDURES DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, AND SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AT A LOW ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

AT 600 FEET AGL THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION.  AT 200 FEET AGL THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND 'STOPPED COMPLETELY'.  THE PILOT DID NOT INDICATE WHAT HIS ENGINE OR ROTOR INSTRUMENTS WERE INDICATING PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED TREES AT APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET AGL, AND THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON A 25% UPWARD SLOPE.  THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE WERE REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE FAA TEST RAN THE ENGINE FOR 45 MINUTES AND DID NOT FIND ANY DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2289K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2289K-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 0513, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0513
- Airframe hours: 1973
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank R. Zokaites
- Registered owner: Frank R. Zokaites
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1991, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,054 total, 653 in this make and model, 871 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910920042199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910920042199A), Sep 20, 1991: Robsin R22BETA, Wexford, PA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped during practice autorotation. Struck trees and crashed. Engine ran normal after accident.

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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