# NTSB FTW86LRG13: Robinson R-22, N9062Z, Austin, TX, February 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1986, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.380302, -97.669258 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3803&lon=-97.6693&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): 22153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LRG13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRG13

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. PLT INITIALLY STATED THAT THE ENG HAD 'MISSED' DURING PWR APPLICATION AT THE BOTTOM OF A NORM APPROACH. LATER HE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN PRACTICING TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATIONS. DA WAS 3,100' WITH A 97 DEGREE TEMPERATURE. PVT HELO PLT HAD LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9062Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0146
- Airframe hours: 640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J.C. Mcdowell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1985
- Airport: 3R3, Austin Executive

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 234 total, 92 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F

## 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 19860220007569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860220007569A), Feb 20, 1986: Robsin R22, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. The helicopter tail boom struck the ground during a practice autorotation. Pilot misjudged level off.

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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