# NTSB FTW83FA143: Robinson R22, N8373J, Grand Prairie, TX, March 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1983, 18:25 local (Mar 8, 1983, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Grand Prairie, TX
- Coordinates: 32.729366, -96.999023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7294&lon=-96.9990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA143

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - simulated, pilot in command
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - inadequate, check pilot (cause)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & FLT EXAMINER WERE ON AN EVALUATION FLT AFTER THE PLT'S FLT INSTRUCTOR HAD RECOMMENDED HIM FOR A CFI CHECK FLT. TO DEMONSTRATE A HOVERING AUTOROTATION, THE PLT HAD SELECTED AN AREA OF SOFT TURF THAT SLOPTED DOWNHILL. THE EXAMINER STATED THAT AFTER THE PLT CLOSED THE THROTTLE, THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE PLT APPLIED EXCESSIVE COLLECTIVE PITCH. THE EXAMINER REPORTED THAT AT THE MOMENT OF TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER RESPONDED TO COLLECTIVE INPUT, CAME OFF THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, THEN TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TOES OF THE SKIDS ROLLED & OVER. REPORTEDLY, THE EXAMINER GRABBED FOR THE CYCLIC IN AN INSTINCTIVE EFFORT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, BUT MISSED THE HANDLE DUE TO THE UNIQUE CONTROL CONFIGURATION OF ACFT. THE PLT'S HELICOPTER TRAINING HAD BEEN IN 2 ROBINSON R22'S, THE NEWER OF WHICH WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE HEAVIER HP ROTOR BLADES. THE HP BLADES HAD A DIFFERENT AFFECT ON THE HELICOPTER'S RESPONSE & FLT CHARACTERISTICS DURING AUTOROTATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8373J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8373J-2003-08-08), registration cancelled 2003-08-08, S/N 0318 (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: 318
- Airframe hours: 212
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Coker Helicopters
- Registered owner: James & Larry Coker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 3, 1983, 10 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: F67, Grand Prairie

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 909 total, 38 in this make and model, 835 as pilot in command, 208 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830307007549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830307007549A), Mar 7, 1983: Robsin R22, Grand Prairie, TX, Substantial damage. Helicopter experienced dynamic rollover on demo of hover rotation landing. Applicant used too much collective.

## Other investigations on N8373J (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX95LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA312), Aug 29, 1995: Robinson R-22 (N8373J), El Monte, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student's improper use of the cyclic control; the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight; and the flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance distance…

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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