Robinson R-22B accident near Farmingdale, New York, March 29, 1989
On March 29, 1989 at about 7:55 pm local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N2553X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Farmingdale, New York. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
PILOT'S FAILURE TO CONTROL THE ALTITUDE OF THE HELICOPTER WHILE DEMONSTRATING A QUICK STOP MANEUVER TO A STUDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 1989 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Farmingdale, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2553X · no longer on the register · serial 613
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A QUICK STOP DEMONSTRATION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT, THE AIRCRAFT SKIDS HIT THE GROUND HARD. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL AND BROKE IT OFF. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE AND CAME TO REST. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE 'APPARENTLY GOT TOO LOW' DURING THE DEMONSTRATION.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 870 hours in all; 848 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 800 as pilot in command; 615 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,896 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 24, 1988
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-BC (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FRG Farmingdale NY at 5:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.