# NTSB LAX84LA026: Robinson R22, N9044Q, Kailua-Kona, HI, October 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1983, 08:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Kailua-Kona, HI
- Coordinates: 19.630037, -155.989547 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6300&lon=-155.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TRANSPORTING A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF PHOTOGRAPHING A SPORTS EVENT. WHILE HOVERING AT AN UNSPECIFIED LOW ALTITUDE, THE PLT BECAME DISTRACTED AND ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DECREASE. AFTER THE LOW RPM WARNING HORN SOUNDED, THE PLT TRIED TO RECOVER, BUT REPORTEDLY, HE WAS UNABLE TO LOWER THE COLLECTIVE SUFFICIENTLY TO REGAIN CONTROL. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN SLOWLY AROUND. THE PLT APPLIED LEFT PEDAL TO PARTIALLY REDUCE A CLOCK-WISE ROTATION. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO DESCEND UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH LAVA ROCK, THEN IT ROLLED OVER. THE PLT REPORTED THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9044Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0112
- Airframe hours: 648
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Skinner & Anita Skinner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1982
- Departed: KOA, KAILUA-KONA, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 328 total, 260 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19831022057329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831022057329A), Oct 22, 1983: Robsin R22, Kailua Kona, HI, Substantial damage. During low level hovering near sporting event, pilot became distracted allowed helicopter to collide with ground.

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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