Robinson R-22 N2589X
22 April 1992 · Atlanta, Georgia, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 22 April 1992 at about 16:40 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N2589X, operated by Carroll, Ronald, was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:40
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.7507, -84.3900
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22
- Registration
- N2589X
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Carroll, Ronald
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Observation
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Lawrenceville → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL92FA085
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER (WIND CONDITION), AND THE INFLIGHT DECISION TO HOVER WITH GUSTING TAILWINDS, WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS GUSTING TAILWINDS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT HAD POSITIONED THE HELICOPTER ON AN EASTERLY HEADING TO ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO PHOTOGRAPH A CEMETERY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AS THE HELICOPTER SLOWED THROUGH TRANSLATIONAL LIFT, ADDITIONAL POWER AND LEFT PEDDLE WERE APPLIED TO MAINTAIN THE HOVER. WHILE HOVERING ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE HELICOPTER WAS HIT BY A STRONG WIND GUST, THE PILOT LOST TAIL ROTOR THRUST AND CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. EFFORTS TO ARREST THE UNCONTROLLABLE CONDITION FAILED. THE HELICOPTER LOST ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH THE MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING. WESTERLY GUSTING SURFACE WINDS, MAX 19 KNOTS, WERE RECORDED AT THE THREE LOCAL AIRPORTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE RESPECTIVE FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Dec 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Fresno, California, United States | Henry Broadcasting Co. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1992 | Robinson R-22 | Fresno, California, United States | Mazzei Flying Service | Fatal | 1 |
| 30 Jan 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Malabar, Florida, United States | Melbourne Helicopters Inc. | Fatal | 2 |
| 13 Sep 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Colfax, California, United States | Sacramento Exec Helicopters | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 May 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, United States | Kansas Copter & Wings, Inc. | Fatal | 2 |
| 7 Mar 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Oxbow, Oregon, United States | Helicolor, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 1992 | Cessna 172G | Millen, Georgia, United States | Georgia Flight Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 12 Jan 1992 | Piper PA-22-150 | Griffin, Georgia, United States | Brown, Thomas R. | No injuries | - |
| 13 Feb 1992 | Cessna 152 | MacOn, Georgia, United States | Register Aviation | Minor injuries | - |
| 1 Mar 1992 | Cessna 172I | Bainbridge, Georgia, United States | Collins, Wesley A. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Mar 1992 | Cessna 152 | Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States | Aviation Training Consultants | No injuries | - |
| 12 Mar 1992 | Cessna 150M | Jesup, Georgia, United States | Naia, Joseph & Betner, Dwight | No injuries | - |