Robinson R-22B N94RP

Summary

On 1 July 2000 at about 20:02 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N94RP was involved in an accident near East North Port, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 2000 at 20:02

Classification

Accident

Location

East North Port, New York, United States

Coordinates

40.8691, -73.3192

Aircraft

Robinson R-22B

Registration

N94RP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Farmingdale → Islip

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD00LA054

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor RPM and failure to follow published recovery procedures after the low rotor RPM warning horn and caution light activated.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an aerial photography flight, the helicopter made three circles around some property, and then proceeded to the south. At this point, the passenger looked out the windshield and noticed that they were just above the treetops, about 100-250 above ground level, with a very slow forward airspeed. The helicopter then began to shake and began a high descent rate to the ground. During the descent, the passenger saw the pilot making a lot of control movements, and noted that the low rotor RPM warning horn and light stayed on from the time the helicopter started shaking all the way to the ground. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the collective was found in the full up position, the rotor blades were bent up, and tree limbs were strewn around the accident site. The pilot operating handbook stated that when the low rotor RPM warning horn and caution light are activated, rotor RPM is below safe limits, and the pilot should immediately roll on throttle, lower collective, and in forward flight apply aft cyclic. Examination of the helicopter revealed there were no mechanical malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.