# NTSB FTW81DQD19: Robinson R-22, N9043Y, Balmorhea, TX, May 3, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 3, 1981
- Place: Balmorhea, TX · BALMORHEA, TX
- Location: 30.9824° N, 103.7450° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Balmorhea, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9824&lon=-103.7450&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DQD19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DQD19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0680   81/5/3    BALMORHEA,TX        ROBINSON R-22       CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 3938
        TIME - 1730                    N9043Y              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 111 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BALMORHEA,TX                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ROLL OVER                                                TAXI: AERIAL TAXI TO TAKEOFF
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - SUDDEN WINDSHIFT
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE IN FLIGHT,CLEAR AIR
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      70
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           25                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- HOVER TAXIING DNWND AWAY FM FARM HOUSE & STORM.D/A APPX 4700FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9043Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9043Y-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 0110, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810503022229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810503022229A), May 3, 1981: Robsin R22, Balmorhea, TX, Substantial damage. RPM decayed during hover. Nearby storm increased surface wind, creating downdraft. Main rotor 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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