Robinson R-22 accident near Atlanta, Georgia, April 22, 1992
On April 22, 1992 at about 4:40 pm local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N2589X, was destroyed in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 22, 1992 · about 4:40 pm local time
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · all R-22s on the register
- Registration
- N2589X · no longer on the register · serial 667M
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 197 hours in all; 197 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 156 as pilot in command; 7 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,642 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 13, 1992; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LZU Lawrenceville GA at 3:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:52 pm from ATL, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.