BETHPAGE, NY, USA
N8024W
ROBINSON R22
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 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
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