# NTSB FTW85FA254: Robinson R-22, N9075Y, Dallas, TX, June 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1985, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 32.839385, -96.800338 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8394&lon=-96.8003&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): 21555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA254

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper, dual student (cause)
  - autorotation - improper, dual student (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - improper, dual student (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - separation (cause)
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT ALLOWED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO DROP TO A SLOW SPEED WELL BELOW THE GREEN ARC. THE STUDENT PLT AND THE INSTRUCTOR PLT ATTEMPTED TO DO A POWER RECOVERY FROM THE ABORTED AUTOROTATION MANEUVER BUT THE ENG COULD NOT ACCELERATE THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AT AN ADEQUATE RATE DUE TO THE LOW INERTIA-TYPE BLADES. THE ENG DID DRIVE THE BLADES INTO A CONE SHAPE WHICH DID NOT DEVELOP ADEQUATE LIFT TO PREVENT THE HARD TOUCHDOWN LANDING. THE SPEARATED SECTION OF TAIL BOOM AND TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT WERE FOUND A GREAT DISTANCE FROM THE WRECKAGE DRIVEN BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE WHICH WAS DRIVEN BY THE ENG UNDER POWER. THE DEFORMED MAIN ROTOR BLADES SHOWED EVIDENCE OF CONEING. THE ONE BLADE TIP CONTACTED THE SOD SURFACE AND BENT DOWNWARD. THE SKID ASSY SEPARATED DUE TO THE HARD TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9075Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9075Y-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 0252, built 1982 (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: 0252
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: W. N. Cope, doing business as Select Leasing
- Registered owner: D. J. Farms, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 9, 1985, 32 hours before
- Departed: RBD, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: RBD, Dallas Redbird

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,165 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: RBD

## 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 19850613024789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850613024789A), Jun 13, 1985: Robsin R22, Dallas, TX, Destroyed. Hard touchdown during practice autorotation followed by rollover as skid dug in.

## Other investigations on N9075Y (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 FTW84LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA259), May 31, 1984: Robinson R22 (N9075Y), Andrews, TX, substantial damage

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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