# NTSB LAX83FA226: Robinson R22, N83574, Torrance, CA, May 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1983, 08:11 local (15:11 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.79985, -118.350738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7998&lon=-118.3507&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): 23450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23450/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA226

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, faa inspector (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, faa inspector (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON AN FAA CERTIFICATION TEST FLT WITH A PART-TIME COMPANY EMPLOYEE IN THE LEFT SEAT AS PILOT- IN-COMMAND (PIC). AN FAA TEST PLT WAS IN THE RIGHT SEAT. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO ESTABLISH NEW DATA FOR THE HELICOPTER'S HEIGHT-VELOCITY (HV) CURVE. THE PIC STATED THAT ALL POINTS ALONG THE CURVE HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATED ON AN EARLIER DATE. AFTER A NUMBER OF AUTOROTATIONS, THE PIC SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATED A SPECIFIC POINT AT 100 FT & 48 KTS. THE FAA PLT THEN TOOK THE CONTROLS & ATTEMPTED TO DUPLICATE THE POINT IN QUESTIONS. THE FLARE FOR THE LANDING DID NOT ARREST THE DESCENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & THE MAIN ROTOR SERVED THE TAIL BOOM. BOTH PLTS ADMITTED THAT THEY DID NOT CLEARLY DEFINE THEIR INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES PRIOR TO THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83574](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83574-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 0301, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 301
- Airframe hours: 66
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Robinson Helicopter Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1983, 18 hours before
- Airport: TOA, Torrance Muni, runway 11R, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,567 total, 1,100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 2

## 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 19830512018939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830512018939A), May 12, 1983: Robsin R22, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. Made hard autorotation landing on a certification flight. Chopped off tail boom. Was over design gross weight.

## Other investigations on N83574 (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 MIA00LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA005), Oct 17, 1999: Robinson R-22 (N83574), Sunny Isles, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to improper ignition timing by unknown person(s) resulting in an emergency descent and collision with the water.

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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