Robinson R22 accident near Bethpage, New York, October 19, 1989
On October 19, 1989 at about 11:20 am local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N8024W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bethpage, New York. It was an aerial observation 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
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE HELICOPTER DURING A POWER OFF AUTOROTATION RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERING THE TAILBOOM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY WIND AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT AND POWERPLANT CONTROLS IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 19, 1989 · about 11:20 am local time
- Place
- Bethpage, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N8024W · no longer on the register · serial 1047
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON A TRAFFIC REPORTING FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE TWICE WITH NO SUCCESS AND LANDED DOWNWIND ON THE SOUTH SERVICE ROAD OF THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY. THIS WAS THE BEST PLACE TO LAND WITHOUT CAUSING INJURY TO PEOPLE OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY ON THE GROUND. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 48 DEGREES AND THERE WAS LIGHT RAIN. ON OCTOBER 26, 1989, THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND IT RAN WITHOUT ANY DISCREPANCIES.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,462 hours in all; 630 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: American Helicopters CORP.
The flight
- Departed from: ISP Islip NY at 10:15 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 050° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,100 ft; scat at 900 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
Other NTSB records under N8024W the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.