# NTSB DEN83FA049: Robinson R22, N9079B, Sisseton, SD, January 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1983, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Sisseton, SD
- Coordinates: 45.659839, -97.03997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6598&lon=-97.0400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF IN ADVERSE WEATHER. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED ANDHAD RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFINGS BY TELEPHONE FROM A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. THE FORECAST WAS NOT FAVORABLE, BUT THE PILOTSTATED 'WELL I THINK I CAN GET OUT FROM UNDERNEATH IT WITH A HELICOPTER, NO PROBLEM.' THE PILOT TOOK OFF WHILE SEVERAL WITNESSES WATCHED. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED HIM WIPE CONDENSATION OFF THE INSIDE OF THE PLEXIGLASS TWICE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.AFTER TAKEOFF,WHICH THE AIRPORT MANAGER THOUGHT WOULD BE POSTPONED FOR WEATHER, THE HELICOPTER DISAPPEARED IN THE FOG ATA DISTANCE OF ABOUT ONE HALF MILE AND ALTITUDE OF 200 FT. THE WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT NOISE CHANGE FROM NORTHWEST TO NORTHEAST WHICH PUZZLED THEM. NO ONE HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE ACFT IMPACT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT ONE AND ONE- HALF MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT BY A FARMER, APRX TWO HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9079B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9079B-1983-07-22), registration cancelled 1983-07-22, S/N 0294 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0294
- Airframe hours: 295
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wayne L. Twitero
- Registered owner: Universtiy Of North Dakota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 12, 1983, 1 hours before
- Destination: GFK, GRAND FORKS, ND
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 8D3, Sisseton, runway 34, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 117 total, 40 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point -0 °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 19830115000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830115000879A), Jan 15, 1983: Robsin R22, Sisseton, SD, Destroyed. VFR pilot departed into a fogbank. Lost control and crashed one mile from airport. Was advised VFR not recommended.

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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