Robinson R22 accident near Sharon, Massachusetts, November 29, 1988
On November 29, 1988 at about 4:28 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N9035U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sharon, Massachusetts. 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
ENGINE POWER LOSS WHILE LANDING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 29, 1988 · about 4:28 pm local time
- Place
- Sharon, Massachusetts
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N9035U · no longer on the register · serial 0088
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER FOR A LANDING, THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED TO A HARD LANDING AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES, HOWEVER ONLY 3/10TH OF A GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL CAPACITY IS 19.8 GALLONS OF WHICH 19.2 GALLONS IS USEABLE.
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: 997 hours in all; 941 in this make and model; 170 in the last 90 days; 898 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,439 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 21, 1988
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1MA3 South Boston MA at 3:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.