Robinson R-22 N83574

Summary

On 17 October 1999 at about 16:00 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N83574 was involved in an accident near Sunny Isles, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

17 October 1999 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sunny Isles, Florida, United States

Coordinates

25.9309, -80.1404

Aircraft

Robinson R-22

Registration

N83574

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ft. Lauderdale → Watson Island

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA00LA005

2 people had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to improper ignition timing by unknown person(s) resulting in an emergency descent and collision with the water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After about 1 hour of flight at about 200 feet offshore, the helicopter was observed to descend from about 500 feet agl, to about 200 feet agl, and head directly toward the beach. Once overhead the beach, the pilot stated the cylinder head and oil temperature indications started rising rapidly, and he looked for a place to autorotate. Finding no suitable area due to the density of bathers and losing power, the pilot elected to ditch offshore in about 8 feet of water. Post crash test run of the engine revealed normal operation except that the magneto timing had been adjusted as far advanced as possible. Factory post crash analysis of the main rotor clutch and shaft revealed the clutch had sustained two severe overtorque events, most likely as a result of two or more main rotor blade strikes during the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.