Robinson R-22 ALPHA N8555K

Summary

On 2 February 1991 at about 20:37 local time, a Robinson R-22 ALPHA registered N8555K, operated by American Helicopter Corp, was involved in an accident near Coram, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 February 1991 at 20:37

Classification

Accident

Location

Coram, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Coram Airpark (NONE)

Coordinates

40.8700, -73.0001

Aircraft

Robinson R-22 ALPHA

Registration

N8555K

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

American Helicopter Corp

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Shirley → Ronkonkoma

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC91LA071

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AND MISJUDGING THE HEIGHT OF THE FLARE DURING A PRECAUTIONARY AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, RESULTING IN A ROLL OVER DURING THE LANDING FLARE TOUCHDOWN.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

N8555K WAS ENROUTE FROM SHIRLEY, NEW YORK, TO ISLIP, NEW YORK, AT A CRUISING ALTITUDE OF 1100 FEET WHEN THE PILOT HEARD A PERSISTENT NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. THE NOISE PERSISTED THROUGHOUT DESCENT. AT APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS WAS LOST, AND THE HELICOPTER SKID MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND CAUSING A ROLL OVER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.