# NTSB FTW93LA015: Robinson R22B, N8066B, Robert Lee, TX, October 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1992, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Robert Lee, TX
- Coordinates: 31.89043, -100.480567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8904&lon=-100.4806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA015

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE/ROTOR RPM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing

## Analysis

DURING A GAME SURVEY THE ENGINE/ROTOR RPM SUDDENLY DETERIORATED AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE APPROACH TO THE GROUND THE ENGINE/ROTOR RPM DETERIORATED FURTHER AND THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND HARD. THE CAUSE FOR THE POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8066B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8066B-1996-11-05), registration cancelled 1996-11-05, S/N 1275 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1275
- Airframe hours: 1900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Heli-Tex Inc
- Registered owner: Heli-Tex Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1992, 100 hours before
- Departed: NONE, KING RANCH, TX
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJT, 35 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 19921015042389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921015042389A), Oct 15, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Robert Le, TX, Substantial damage. Low rotor RPM too low to autorotate. Impact with ground sheared skid. No anomalies found. Allowed rotor decay.

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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