# NTSB NYC83FA221: Robinson R-22, N9078Z, Nashua, NH, August 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1983, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Nashua, NH
- Location: 42.7491° N, 71.4905° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nashua, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7491&lon=-71.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - collective - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE INSTRUCTOR WATCHED THE THIRD LIFTOFF FROM IN FRONT OF THE HANGAR, HE OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER LIFT OFF THE GROUND RAPIDLY, ITS NOSE SWINGING QUICKLY TO THE RIGHT AS IT DID. DURING THE YAW, THE HELICOPTER LOST ALTITUDE RAPIDLY UNTIL THE RIGHT SKID HIT THE GROUND. AFTER BOUNCING BACK INTO THE AIR A RIGHT ROLL BEGAN ALONG WITH THE YAW AND CONTINUED UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9078Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9078Z-1994-01-25), registration cancelled 1994-01-25, S/N 0288 (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: 0288
- Airframe hours: 955
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hawthorne College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1983, 65 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 464 total, 31 in this make and model, 238 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830823047269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830823047269A), Aug 23, 1983: Robsin R22, Nashua, NH, Substantial damage. During liftoff on supervised solo helicopter nose swung rapidly and right skid struck ground.

## Other investigations on N9078Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC87LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA217), Aug 2, 1987: Robinson R22 (N9078Z), Sterling, MA, destroyed

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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