Robinson R22B accident near Ronkonkoma, New York, April 14, 1993
On April 14, 1993 at about 8:18 pm local time, a Robinson R22B (helicopter), registered N344WA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ronkonkoma, New York (Long Island airport). 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
THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SUPERVISION AND DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DELAY IN ADDING POWER BY THE STUDENT PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN A 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
- April 14, 1993 · about 8:18 pm local time
- Place
- Ronkonkoma, New York · Long Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22B · all R22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N344WA · registry record · serial 0585
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS MAKING AN AUTOROTATION WITH A POWER RECOVERY. DURING THE FLARE, THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN CAME ON. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER THE ROTOR RPM. HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND MADE A RUN ON LANDING IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE SKIDS DUG IN AND THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER. THE CFI HAD 205 HOURS TOTAL TIME AND 20 HOURS AS A CFI.
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; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 205 hours in all; 205 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 152 as pilot in command; 20 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,411 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 22, 1993; 64 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ISP at 7:00 pm
- Destination: ISP
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 600 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from ISP, 1 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.