# NTSB FTW83FA100: Robinson R22, N9021J, Zapata, TX, January 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1983, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Zapata, TX
- Coordinates: 26.890115, -99.260345 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8901&lon=-99.2603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - engine(s) operating
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED IN AN AREA OF DRY GRASS, 18 TO 28 INCHES TALL. THE PLT STATED THAT WITHIN 30 SEC AFTER A NORMAL APPROACH & TOUCHDOWN, THE PASSENGER NOTICED A FIRE AS HE WAS EXITING THE ACFT. THE PILOT THEN ROLLED THE THROTTLE ON IN AN ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE ACFT. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. AS HE APPLIED THROTTLE, THE PLT SAW FLAMES COMING UP THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ACFT. BOTH OCCUPANTS THEN ABANDONED THE AIRCRAFT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED APRX 12 MIN LATER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT THE HOTTEST POINT OF THE FIRE WAS IN THE AREA OF THE GASCOLATOR. DURING THE FIRE, THE GASCOLATOR HAD MELTED ALLOWING FUEL TO DRAIN ONTO THE GROUND UNDER THE ENGINE. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO LEAKS. THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE OPENING WAS 16 INCHES OFF THE GROUND. WHEN THE R22 THROTTLE IS ROLLED ON, THE ACCELERATOR PUMP INJECTS FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR & UNUSED FUEL IS THEN PUMPED OVERBOARD. ON 2/14/83, THE ACFT MANUAL WAS CHANGED TO WARN OF DANGERS OF LANDING IN TALL GRASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9021J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9021J-1989-10-26), registration cancelled 1989-10-26, S/N 0030 (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: 0030
- Airframe hours: 608
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Romeo R. Ramirez
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1982, 98 hours before
- Departed: ZAPATA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,100 total, 1,175 in this make and model, 5,940 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LRD, 60 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 19830127003159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830127003159A), Jan 27, 1983: Robsin R22, Zapata, TX, Destroyed. Fire erupted under engine after landing in tall grass. Oil on engine and engine exhaust in dry grass possible factor

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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