# NTSB MKC85FCJ01: Robinson R22, N8386B, Gladstone, NE, May 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 22:00 local (May 20, 1985, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Gladstone, NE
- Coordinates: 40.140785, -97.170013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1408&lon=-97.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FCJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FCJ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A HARD OFF ARPT LANDING IN AN UNLIGHTED FARM FIELD ON A DARK NIGHT. THE ACFT'DROPPED IN' FROM ABOUT 50 FT AGL IN A VERTICAL DESCENT. AFTER GROUND CONTACT THE ACFT ROLLED OVER TO THE RIGHT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOTED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8386B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0338
- Airframe hours: 543
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scherbarth, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 24, 1984, 40 hours before
- Departed: LBY, FAIRBURY, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 189 total, 189 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNK, 50 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 19850519020339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519020339A), May 19, 1985: Robsin R22, Gladstone, NE, Destroyed. Lost power on approach to landing site. Puled up to avoid wires, stalled to impact. Carburetor icing suspected.

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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