# NTSB LAX85FJA02: Robinson R-22, N8447C, Hilo, HI, April 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1985, 14:45 local (Apr 29, 1985, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Hilo, HI
- Coordinates: 19.690986, -155.080566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6910&lon=-155.0806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FJA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FJA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

THE ACFT ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE WITHIN 10 FT OF WHERE IT WAS PARKED PRIOR TO FLT, THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A HOVER WHEN IT ROLLED. THIS WAS THE PLTS 2ND ATTEMPT AT SOLO FLT IN THE HELICOPTER. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOTED DURING THE POST ACCIDENT EXAM. THE GROUND SCARS WERE CONSISTANT WITH DYNAMIC ROLL OVER CHARACTERISTICS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8447C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8447C-1995-04-21), registration cancelled 1995-04-21, S/N 0373 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0373
- Airframe hours: 9537
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas M. Pace, doing business as Tmp Helicopters
- Registered owner: Watson Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1985, 812 hours before
- Departed: ITO, HI
- Destination: ITO, HI
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 572 total, 266 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ITO, 1 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 19850428015949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850428015949A), Apr 28, 1985: Robsin R22, Hilo, HI, Substantial damage. Slid to one side while attempting to hover. Over corrected, slid to other side, skid caught, rolled over onto side.

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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