# Accident 20090320004069A: Robsin R22, Skull Valley, AZ, March 20, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 20, 2009, 16:00 local time
- Place: Skull Valley, AZ
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.6997° N, 112.6708° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6997&lon=-112.6708&mi=10
- Aircraft: N90764, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90764-2014-11-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 (registry code 7640102, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 10,500 total, 700 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR09LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA160) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090320004069A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT WAS CIRCLING A HOUSE FOR A REAL-ESTATE AGENT TO PHOTOGRAPH HOUSE WHEN HE SAID HE LOST LIFT.  HE HAD JUST TURNED DOWNWIND AND WAS APPROACHING RISING TERRAIN THAT, FROM THE PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE FLIGHT, APPEARED TO HAVE TREES RISING TO THE LEVEL OF HIS FLIGHT.  THE GROUND ELEVATION WAS 5000'.  LOW, SLOW TURNING, ACQUIRING A TAIL WIND WHILE UNABLE TO DROP COLLECTIVE BECAUSE OF THE RAISING TERRAIN THE HELICOPTER LOST TRANSLATIONAL LIFT, SETTLED (WITH POWER) QUICKLY, TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A TREETOP SEPARATING THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL PUSH ROD, AND TAIL ROTOR TRANSMISSION.  THESE PARTS WERE FOUND IN A COUNTER-CLOCKWISE ARCH.  THE SPINNING HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND AND ROLLED ON ITS SIDE MAKING THE ACCIDENT SURVIVABLE WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES.  ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY SAFETY NOTICE SN-34 ENTITLED "PHOTO FLIGHTS-VERY HIGH RISK" STATES THAT RAISING THE COLLECTIVE TO STOP THE DESCENT IN THIS SITUATION CAN REDUCE RPM THEREBY REDUCING POWER AVAILABLE INCREASING DESCENT RATE WITH FURTHER LOSS OF RPM AND HENCE TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 WPR09LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA160), Mar 20, 2009: Robinson Helicopter R22 (N90764), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Other reports on N90764 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19920301008149I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920301008149I), Mar 1, 1992: Robsin R22 (N90764), Abilene, TX, Minor damage. Pilot stated that while conducting ranching operations he landed in rough terrain. Damaged the landing skid.
- [Accident 19820501017709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820501017709A), May 1, 1982: Robsin R22 (N90764), Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Made hard landing. Pilot claims passenger control interference. Passenger claims not. No mechanical problems.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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