# NTSB FTW81FA117: Robinson R22, N9044Z, Columbus, TX, July 5, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 5, 1981
- Place: Columbus, TX · COLUMBUS, TX
- Location: 29.7028° N, 96.5571° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Columbus, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7028&lon=-96.5571&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 19, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA117
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA117

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1541   81/7/5    COLUMBUS,TX         ROBINSON R22        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 38, 95 TOTAL
        TIME - 1830                    N9044Z              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 36 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN ANTONIO,TX              HOUSTON,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- NO FUEL AVAILABLE AT ENROUTE LNDG POINT(TEMPORARILY CLOSED).CRASHED AFTER CIRCLING TRUCK STOP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9044Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9044Z-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 0114, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- 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: Destroyed

## 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 19810705038029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810705038029A), Jul 5, 1981: Robsin R22, Columbus, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Helicopter crashed in pasture with high rate of descent in level attitude. No evidence of fuel was found.

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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