# NTSB LAX83FVM10: Robinson R22, N8398Q, San Jose, CA, September 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1983, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.329158, -121.829162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3292&lon=-121.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FVM10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FVM10

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS CERTIFICATED FOR FIXED WING, SINGLE ENG, LAND ACFT, BUT WAS NOT RATED IN HELICOPTERS. WHILE ON A SOLO FLT, PRACTICING LANDINGS, HE WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A DECREASE IN ENG POWER & ROTOR RPM. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. TOWER PERSONNEL STATED THAT THE ENGS & ROTORS WERE OPERATING AFTER THE LANDING. AN ENG RUN-UP & MAGNETO CHECK WERE CONDUCTED AFTER THE MISHAP WHICH SHOWED NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8398Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0345
- Airframe hours: 205
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flying Country Club Marketing
- Registered owner: Larry Laurich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 9, 1983, 10 hours before
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview, runway 31L, 3,099 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 88 total, 16 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV

## 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 19830913048519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830913048519A), Sep 13, 1983: Robsin R22, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot made hard landing when rotor RPM became low during approach.

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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