# NTSB LAX82DA138: Robinson R-22, N9043E, Perris, CA, April 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1982, 12:01 local (20:01 UTC)
- Place: Perris, CA
- Location: 33.7825° N, 117.2286° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Perris, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7825&lon=-117.2286&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA138

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER REFUELING WITH 12.9 GALLONS OF FUEL, THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LIFTING OFF WITH 104% PRM, HE BEGAN A NORMAL SHALLOW TAKEOFF WITH 25 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. HE REPORTED REACHING ABOUT 75 FT AGL AND 50 KTS WHEN HE NOTICED THE ROTOR AND ENGINE SPEED STARTED DROPPING TO APPROXIMATELY 100 RPM. HE STATED THAT MORE POWER WAS APPLIED BUT THE RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE. HE STOPPED CLIMBING, LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, AND BEGAN DESCENDING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WHILE STILL TRAVELING AT ABOUT 15 KTS WITH ABOUT 85% RPM. THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL CONE AND THE HELICOPTER WENT OVER ON ITS NOSE AND TO THE RIGHT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 2800 FT. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, AN INSPECTION AND OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9043E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9043E-2018-06-01), registration cancelled 2018-06-01, S/N 0109, built 1981 (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: R-22
- Airframe hours: 92
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter Mack Podolece
- Registered owner: Walter Mack Podolece
- Departed: L65, PERRIS, CA
- Destination: 249, ELSINORE, CA
- Airport: Perris Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 5,900 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °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 19820417009589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820417009589A), Apr 17, 1982: Robsin R22, Perris, CA, Destroyed. Pilot report RPM decay on takeoff. Hard landing and roll-over destroyed helicopter. No engine problems found.

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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