# NTSB CHI83FET01: Robinson R-22, N9031F, Wabash, IN, August 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1983, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Wabash, IN
- Coordinates: 40.790489, -85.820289 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7905&lon=-85.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FET01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FET01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, landing
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AUTOROTATION PRACTICE, WHEN THE PILOT ROLLED THE THROTTLE OFF, THE ENGINE QUIT. AN ENGINE RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED. THIS TIME LAPSE ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DECAY AND A PROPER AUTOROTATION COULD NOT BE DONE IN THEREMAINING ALTITUDE. THE ACFT LANDED HARD HITTING A FARM FENCE AND ROLLING OVER. BEFORE TAKEOFF THE PILOT DID NOT TOP OFFTHE FUEL BUT ESTIMATED 15 GALLONS ABOARD. THREE DAYS AFTER THE CRASH THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE TANK OR THE FUEL SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO FUEL STAINS ON THE OVERTURNED FUSELAGE. THERE DID SEEM TO BE SOME EVIDENCE OF FUEL SMELL ON THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANYTHING TO PREVENT NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9031F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9031F-1984-07-06), registration cancelled 1984-07-06, S/N 0077 (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: 007
- Airframe hours: 804
- Engines: LYCOMING AO-320-A2B 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald A. Dehaven
- Registered owner: Roto Flite, Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 20, 1982, 8 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 819 total, 331 in this make and model, 819 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19830812041069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830812041069A), Aug 12, 1983: Robsin R22, Wabash, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit during practice autorotation. Distracted trying for restart. Rotor RPM too low caused hard landing.

## Other investigations on N9031F (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 CHI82FA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA267), Jul 23, 1982: Robinson R22 (N9031F), Milwaukee, WI, substantial damage

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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