# NTSB NYC82DA109: Robinson R-22, N9072Q, Danbury, CT, May 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1982, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Danbury, CT
- Location: 41.3948° N, 73.4540° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Danbury, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3948&lon=-73.4540&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA109

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, JUST PRIOR TO FLARE, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. A PARTIAL FLARE WAS MADE AND AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE GROUND THE HELICOPER BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. THE ROTOR BLADES THEN MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON ITS SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9072Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0213
- Airframe hours: 390
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southeast Whirly Birds, Inc.
- Registered owner: Southeast Whirly Birds, Inc.
- Departed: DANBURY, CT
- Destination: DANBURY, CT
- Airport: Danbury Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 69 total, 69 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19820527023699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820527023699A), May 27, 1982: Robsin R22, Danbury, CT, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during hard landing when pilot was practicing autorotation landings.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.