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NTSB Report
July 2, 1989 · Robinson R22 · N888CG
Austin, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Austin, TX
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Tail Number
N888CG
Operator
Alan Smith
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW89LA120
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.
NTSB 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.
Full 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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 CDT
Nearest AirportAustin Executive Airpark (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R22
Tail NumberN888CG
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAlan Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 14 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC