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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 17, 1982 · Robinson R-22 · N9043E

Perris, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Perris, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N9043E
Operator
Walter Mack Podolece
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82DA138

AFTER REFUELING WITH 12.9 GALLONS OF FUEL, THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LIFTING OFF WITH 104% PRM, HE BEGAN A NORMAL SHALLOW TAKEOFF WITH 25 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. HE REPORTED REACHING ABOUT 75 FT AGL AND 50 KTS WHEN HE NOTICED THE ROTOR AND ENGINE SPEED STARTED DROPPING TO APPROXIMATELY 100 RPM. HE STATED THAT MORE POWER WAS APPLIED BUT THE RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE. HE STOPPED CLIMBING, LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, AND BEGAN DESCENDING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WHILE STILL TRAVELING AT ABOUT 15 KTS WITH ABOUT 85% RPM. THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL CONE AND THE HELICOPTER WENT OVER ON ITS NOSE AND TO THE RIGHT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 2800 FT. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, AN INSPECTION AND OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

Full Narrative

AFTER REFUELING WITH 12.9 GALLONS OF FUEL, THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LIFTING OFF WITH 104% PRM, HE BEGAN A NORMAL SHALLOW TAKEOFF WITH 25 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. HE REPORTED REACHING ABOUT 75 FT AGL AND 50 KTS WHEN HE NOTICED THE ROTOR AND ENGINE SPEED STARTED DROPPING TO APPROXIMATELY 100 RPM. HE STATED THAT MORE POWER WAS APPLIED BUT THE RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE. HE STOPPED CLIMBING, LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, AND BEGAN DESCENDING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WHILE STILL TRAVELING AT ABOUT 15 KTS WITH ABOUT 85% RPM. THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL CONE AND THE HELICOPTER WENT OVER ON ITS NOSE AND TO THE RIGHT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 2800 FT. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, AN INSPECTION AND OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:01 PST
Nearest AirportPerris Valley (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN9043E
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWalter Mack Podolece
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data