# NTSB ATL83LA037: Robinson R-22, N90701, Laurel, MD, November 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1982, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Laurel, MD
- Coordinates: 39.099246, -76.879173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0992&lon=-76.8792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71386
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71386/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - poor, dual student (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - flare - inattentive, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE RECEIVING FLIGHT INSTRUCTION ON AUTOROTATION THE STUDENT WAS LATE TO ADMINISTER POWER, RESULTING IN A HIGH SINK RATE. THE INSTRUCTOR FAILED TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT IN TIME TO PREVENT THE TAIL FROM STRIKING THE RUNWAY. THE FORWARD END OF THE TAIL CONE WAS CRUSHED AND THE TRANSMISSION DECK WAS BUCKLED IN SEVERAL PLACES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90701](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90701-1989-08-03), registration cancelled 1989-08-03, S/N 0192 (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: 0192
- Airframe hours: 703
- Engines: LYCOMING HO-320 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: New Haven Helicopter Inc.
- Registered owner: New Haven Helicopter Inc.
- Departed: LAUREL, MD
- Destination: LAUREL, MD
- Airport: Suburban Airport, runway 3, 2,164 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,933 total, 73 in this make and model, 1,675 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821120062529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821120062529A), Nov 20, 1982: Robsin R22, Laurel, MD, Substantial damage. Student was late with proper flare altitude for practice autorotation landing. Tail boom and rotors struck ground.

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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