# NTSB FTW82FA402: Robinson R-22, N9063Z, Paige, TX, September 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1982, 13:07 local (18:07 UTC)
- Place: Paige, TX
- Coordinates: 30.209884, -97.109008 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2099&lon=-97.1090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FA402
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA402

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor - diverged
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - misc rotorcraft,tail cone - diverged
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE HELICOPTER'S ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC/PILOT DEPARTED CLOVER FIELD IN HOUSTON FOR THE R22'S HOME BASE IN AUSTIN, TX. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THEN SAW A LARGE PIECE SEPARATE FROM THE HELICOPTER. OTHER WITNESSES HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND OBSERVED PIECES FALLING FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE MAIN WRECKAGE CAME TO REST ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 290 AND EXHIBITED EVIDENCE THAT A MAIN ROTOR BLADE HAD CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. THE TAIL BOOM AND TAIL ROTOR WERE LOCATED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF HIGHWAY 290. NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OR FLIGHT CONTROLS COULD BE IDENTIFIED. VISUAL METEROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED WITH WINDS FROM 130 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS. MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL LINES THAT CROSS HIGHWAY 290 REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF BEING STRUCK BY THE HELICOPTER. NO ABRUPT MANEUVERS WERE OBSERVED BY WITNESSES. DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR HUB SUGGESTED LOW MAIN ROTOR RPM WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9063Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9063Z-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 0147, 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
- Serial number: 0147
- Airframe hours: 34
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Tejas Helicopters
- Registered owner: Tejas Helicopters
- Departed: C, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: C, AUSTIN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 290 total, 85 in this make and model, 227 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 189 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 45 nm away

## 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 19820930050749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820930050749A), Sep 30, 1982: Robsin R22, Paige, TX, Destroyed. Indicates pilot may have made sudden pull up to miss wires over road he was following and main rotor hit tail boom.

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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