Robinson R-22 accident near West Palm Beach, Florida, August 24, 2004
On August 24, 2004 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N4062X, was substantially damaged in an accident near West Palm Beach, Florida. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to low cylinder compression during recovery from a practice autorotation resulting in a hard landing and damage to the helicopter.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2004 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- West Palm Beach, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · all R-22s on the register
- Registration
- N4062X · no longer on the register · serial 2264
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the flight instructor, the student pilot was practicing autorotations with the instructor at an indicated altitude from about 1,500 to 500 feet. The flight instructor decided to fly back to their departure airport, and while doing so the flight instructor idled the helicopter engine to simulate an engine out for the student pilot. When the student pilot went to recover from the simulated engine out, the helicopter engine did not respond to any power inputs. The flight instructor heard a low RPM horn, and took over the flight controls of the helicopter. The instructor proceeded to re-enter autorotation, flared, leveled the helicopter, and landed in an uneven field. The helicopter came to rest on its side. The helicopter engine was removed from the airframe and taken to a certified engine overhaul facility with NTSB and FAA oversight. The engine operated through several parameters, engine start, magneto check, and a series of several rapid throttle advancements from idle, to full engine power. No abnormalities were noted with the test. A differential compression check was conducted and the following compressions were recorded: Cylinder one, 15/80 PSI, cylinder two, 15/80 PSI, cylinder three, 20/80 PSI, cylinder four, 15/80 PSI. The cylinders were removed, and sent to ECI, Engine Components Inc., for further examination of the pistons and cylinders, with FAA oversight. Pistons, pistons pins, and combustion chambers of all four cylinders displayed discoloration, consistent with of high engine temperature operation.
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: single-engine land; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,278 hours in all; 1,140 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 952 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Co-pilot
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 249 hours in all; 72 in this make and model; 110 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: December 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,537 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 1, 2004; 94 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KLNA West Plam Beach FL at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft; a few clouds at 500 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KPBI, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.