# NTSB NYC83FA052: Robinson R22, N9017Y, Milford, CT, January 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1983, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Milford, CT
- Location: 41.2236° N, 73.0646° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Milford, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2236&lon=-73.0646&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA052

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system,electric wiring - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,alternator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - corroded (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - output low (contributing factor)
  - warning system(other) - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - downhill (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE POLE DURING AN AUTOROTATION FORCED LANDING AFTER AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRUISING AT 500 FEET WHEN THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE DECREASE IN MAIN ROTOR AND ENGINE RPM. THE ROTOR RPM WAS BETWEEN 80-85 PERCENT WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK CONTROL FROM THE STUDENT. DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, THE INSTRUCTOR MANEUVERED TO AVOID WIRES WHILE LANDING ON A DOWNHILL STREET, AWAY FROM AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC. THE AUTOROTATION WAS ALMOST COMPLETE WHEN THE ROTOR STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE AND ROLLED THE AIRCRAFT ON ITS SIDE. THE LOW RPM WARNING HORN AND CAUTION LIGHT DID NOT WORK AS PROGRAMMED. THE BATTERY TERMINAL WERE FOUND CORRODED AND THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WAS FOUND TO BE LOW. ELECTRICAL WIRE #19 WAS FOUND DISCONNECTED FROM THE ALTERNATOR SWITCH WHERE THE WIRE HAD BEEN SOLDERED TO THE SWITCH. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE SOLDER ADHESION WAS GOOD, BUT THE WIRE HAD NOT BEEN PASSED THRU THE TERMINAL POST & WRAPPED BEFORE IT WAS SOLDERED. NO OTHER PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9017Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0016
- Airframe hours: 1087
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kelaire
- Registered owner: Airking Industries, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 23, 1982, 90 hours before
- Departed: 7B9, ELLINGTON, CT
- Destination: BDR, STRATFORD, CT
- Airport: BDR, Sikorski Memorial

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,450 total, 1,175 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDR, 3 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 19830108005909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830108005909A), Jan 8, 1983: Robsin R22, Milford, CT, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor RPM to decay during descent to destination. Unable to recover. Landed in a street. Rotors hit a pole.

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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