Robinson R-22HP accident near Ronkonkoma, New York, January 18, 1989
On January 18, 1989 at about 6:04 pm local time, a Robinson R-22HP (helicopter), registered N9021M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ronkonkoma, New York (Long Island Macarthur airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS AND A RESULTING LOW ROTOR RPM CONDITION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 18, 1989 · about 6:04 pm local time
- Place
- Ronkonkoma, New York · Long Island Macarthur · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22HP · all R-22HPs on the register
- Registration
- N9021M · no longer on the register · serial 0021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ROBINSON R-22HP TOOK OFF AND CRASHED ON THE AIRPORT IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING AIRBORNE. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES AND THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. THE MAIN ROTOR EXHIBITED SIGNS OF LOW ROTOR RPM AND THE FUSELAGE SHOWED SIGNS OF HIGH VERTICAL IMPACT FORCES. THE MAIN ROTOR HEAD AND THE FREEWHEELING CLUTCH WERE BOTH FREE TO ROTATE. NO EVIDENCE OF CONTROL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 360 hours in all; 345 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,499 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 26, 1988; 72 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: American Helicopters INC
The flight
- Destination: HWV Shirley NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:07 pm from ISP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.