# NTSB NYC93LA083: Robinson R22B, N344WA, Ronkonkoma, NY, April 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1993, 16:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: Ronkonkoma, NY
- Coordinates: 40.799465, -73.120635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7995&lon=-73.1206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA083

## Probable cause

THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SUPERVISION AND DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DELAY IN ADDING POWER BY THE STUDENT PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN A LOW ROTOR RPM CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS MAKING AN AUTOROTATION WITH A POWER RECOVERY. DURING THE FLARE, THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN CAME ON.  THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER THE ROTOR RPM.  HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND MADE A RUN ON LANDING IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.  THE SKIDS DUG IN AND THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER.  THE CFI HAD 205 HOURS TOTAL TIME AND 20 HOURS AS A CFI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N344WA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0585
- Airframe hours: 3411
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Eastern Helicopters
- Registered owner: Atlantic Coast Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1993, 64 hours before
- Departed: ISP
- Destination: ISP
- Airport: ISP, Long Island

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 205 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISP, 1 nm away

## 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 19930414009329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930414009329A), Apr 14, 1993: Robsin R22BETA, Islip, NY, Substantial damage. Practice autorotations to power recovery. Student allowed low rotor RPM. CFI took over late. Rolled on hard landing

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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