# NTSB FTW91LA162: Robinson R22, N2306C, Lewisville, TX, September 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1991, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lewisville, TX
- Coordinates: 33.0895, -96.879661 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0895&lon=-96.8797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA162

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE INDUCED BINDING FLIGHT CONTROLS. A FACTOR WAS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - jammed (cause)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - foreign object damage (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

DURING A DAY FERRY FLIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT EXPERIENCED BINDING OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON A LAKE. AFTER MOVING THE CONTROLS WHILE FLOATING ON THE SURFACE, THE BINDING WENT AWAY. AFTER HE TOOK OFF AGAIN, THE CONTROLS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO INPUTS AND BOUND UP. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED NUMEROUS PIECES OF HARDWARE, WASHERS, NUTS, AND COTTER KEYS ON THE DECK IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE TRANSMISSION AND BELOW THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE HELICOPTER HAD A TOTAL OF 20 HOURS SINCE NEW. NO SUBSEQUENT MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2306C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2306C-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 1935M, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1935M
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Airswell, Inc.
- Departed: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX
- Destination: ADS, DALLAS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 226 total, 150 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910917040519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910917040519A), Sep 17, 1991: Robsin R22MARINER, Lewisville, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot reported flight controls jammed on transitional flight from hover. Float equipped chopper rolled over in lake

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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