Robinson R-22 accident near Paige, Texas, September 30, 1982
On September 30, 1982 at about 6:07 pm local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N9063Z, was destroyed in an accident near Paige, Texas. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 1982 · about 6:07 pm local time
- Place
- Paige, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · all R-22s on the register
- Registration
- N9063Z · no longer on the register · serial 0147
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE HELICOPTER'S ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC/PILOT DEPARTED CLOVER FIELD IN HOUSTON FOR THE R22'S HOME BASE IN AUSTIN, TX. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THEN SAW A LARGE PIECE SEPARATE FROM THE HELICOPTER. OTHER WITNESSES HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND OBSERVED PIECES FALLING FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE MAIN WRECKAGE CAME TO REST ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 290 AND EXHIBITED EVIDENCE THAT A MAIN ROTOR BLADE HAD CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. THE TAIL BOOM AND TAIL ROTOR WERE LOCATED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF HIGHWAY 290. NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OR FLIGHT CONTROLS COULD BE IDENTIFIED. VISUAL METEROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED WITH WINDS FROM 130 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS. MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL LINES THAT CROSS HIGHWAY 290 REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF BEING STRUCK BY THE HELICOPTER. NO ABRUPT MANEUVERS WERE OBSERVED BY WITNESSES. DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR HUB SUGGESTED LOW MAIN ROTOR RPM WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 290 hours in all; 85 in this make and model; 66 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 227 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 34 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C Houston TX at 11:30 am
- Destination: C Austin TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 189°F (87°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:51 pm from AUS, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.