Robinson R22 N888CG
2 July 1989 · Austin, Texas, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 2 July 1989 at about 21:35 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N888CG, operated by Alan Smith, was involved in an accident near Austin, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 21:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Austin, Texas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Austin Executive Airpark (3R3)
- Coordinates
- 30.3803, -97.9494
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22
- Registration
- N888CG
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Alan Smith
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Austin → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW89LA120
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN A SITUATION WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH TEMPERATURE, TAILWIND, AND TREES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HELICOPTER WAS AT ABOUT 300' & 30 KTS, WHEN THE 'LOW RPM' LIGHT & HORN WERE ACTIVATED. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE & APPLIED THROTTLE, BUT SAID THERE WAS NO INCREASE IN POWER. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT THE 'ENGINE AND RPM WERE DOWN TO 70-80% AND STILL MARRIED. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE REALIZED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO RECOVER AND APPLIED FULL COLLECTIVE AS THE HELICOPTER HIT THE TOPS OF TREES. ADDITIONALLY, HE SAID THAT AT NO TIME DID THE OIL PRESSURE OR ALTERNATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATE. APRX 15 MI ESE AT AUSTIN, THE 1550 CDT WIND WAS FROM 170 DEG AT 15 GUSTING 20 KTS & THE TEMP WAS 96 DEG. AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT, THE HELICOPTER RPRTDLY HAD A TAILWIND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Sep 1989 | Robinson R22 | Scottsdale, Arizona, United States | Arizona Wing and Rotor | No injuries | - |
| 24 Feb 1989 | Robinson R22 | Hayward, California, United States | Skyline Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 1989 | Robinson R22 | Manassas, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Oct 1989 | Robinson R22 | Bethpage, New York, United States | American Helicopters Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1989 | Robinson R22 | Brinnon, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Sep 1989 | Robinson R22 | Kent, Washington, United States | Classic Helicopters | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 1989 | Cessna 150 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 1989 | Mooney M20J | Jasper, Texas, United States | Stratton, William A. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1989 | Beechcraft V35B | Lampasas, Texas, United States | Phil P. O'neal | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 May 1989 | Piper PA-24-250 | Decatur, Texas, United States | Frazier, David R. | No injuries | - |
| 24 May 1989 | Beechcraft A36TC | Amarillo, Texas, United States | L.l.pownell | No injuries | - |
| 30 May 1989 | Piper PA-32R | Stratford, Texas, United States | Sherman Implement Co. | No injuries | - |