# NTSB LAX83FUA01: Robinson R22, N8358B, Santa Ana, CA, October 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1982, 10:08 local (17:08 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Location: 33.7368° N, 117.8829° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Ana, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7368&lon=-117.8829&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor - diverged
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - fuselage,cabin - blade strike
  - rotor drive system,main rotor mast(drive shaft) - overload
  - rotor drive system,main rotor mast(drive shaft) - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS RATED IN FIXED WING ACFT, BUT IN THE HELICOPTER, HAD STUDENT PRIVILEGES ONLY. HE HAD OBTAINED APRX 37 HRS OF DUAL INSTRUCTION & 3 HRS OF SOLO TIME IN THE ROBINSON R22 HELICOPTER; HOWEVER, 1.3 HRS OF HIS SOLO TIME WAS LIMITED TO HOVER FLT ONLY. HE WAS NOT ENDORSED FOR UNSUPERVISED SOLO ON 10/6/82. HE TOOK OFF ON THE X-COUNTRY FLT TO COMMUTE TO HIS PLACE OF BUSINESS. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW & FAST WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE COCKPIT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING IN LEVEL FLT & THE ENG WAS RUNNING "FLAT OUT" UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR SYS SEPARATED. THE HELICOPTER THEN ENTERED A STEEP DIVE, CRASHED & BURNED. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT MAST BUMPING & SEVERANCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT HAD OCCURRED. THE EXAM FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY FAILURE, MALFUNCTION OR ABNORMALITY PRIOR TO THE MAIN ROTOR SEPARATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8358B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8358B-1983-04-12), registration cancelled 1983-04-12, S/N 0302 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0302
- Airframe hours: 14
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Anthony Ballas
- Registered owner: Madison Manufactured Housing
- Departed: SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: ONTARIO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,777 total, 40 in this make and model, 4,732 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA, 5 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 19821006051529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821006051529A), Oct 6, 1982: Robsin R22, Santa Ana, CA, Destroyed. Main rotor struck cabin and separated rotor system in flight. No mechanical defects. Evidence of mast bumping.

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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