# NTSB ATL83FA044: Robinson R-22, N90218, Alabaster, AL, November 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1982, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Alabaster, AL
- Coordinates: 33.219833, -86.819458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2198&lon=-86.8195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA044

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - exhaust system,end plate - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - rotor drive system,main rotor driving pulley - worn (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE NOTICED THE RPM'S BEGAN FALLING. HE STATED THAT HE INCREASED THE THROTTLE AND LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, BUT THE RPM'S CONTINUED TO DECREASE UNTIL THE LOW RPM WARNING HORN CAME ON. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS MADE. DURING TOUCHDOWN, WHILE THE HELICOPTER STILL HAD FORWARD SPEED, THE SKIDS DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE TAIL MOVED UP INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE HELICOPTER THEN TURNED AND CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THE AIR-FILTER CARTRIDGE WAS COVERED WITH OIL, DIRT AND OTHER CONTAMINENTS; THE 4 V-DRIVE BELTS WERE FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS AND WERE OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS; THE ENGINE DRIVE ACTUATOR (PULLEY) VALLEYS WERE DEEPLY GROOVED AND WORN, THE EXHAUST MUFFLER HAD PIECES OF THE FLARE TUBE FLOATING LOOSE INSIDE THE MUFFLER. DURING A TEST RUN, THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY. A TEARDOWN OF THE TRANSMISSION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90218](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90218-1989-03-24), registration cancelled 1989-03-24, S/N 0034 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0034
- Airframe hours: 460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Cottingham
- Registered owner: Larry Cottingham
- Departed: ALABASTER, AL
- Destination: C, HUEYTOWN, AL
- Airport: Shelby County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 576 total, 210 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 154 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821123061599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821123061599A), Nov 23, 1982: Robsin R22, Alabaster, AL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Too long to autorotate. Skids dug in landing. Chopper nosed up. Poor engine maintenance.

## Other investigations on N90218 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL85LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA010), Oct 13, 1984: Robinson R22 (N90218), Hueytown, AL, destroyed

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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