# NTSB CHI86LA189: Robinson R22A, N8556M, Eden Prairie, MN, August 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1986, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Eden Prairie, MN
- Coordinates: 44.859611, -93.430824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8596&lon=-93.4308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA189

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - jammed
  - control interference - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover

## Analysis

THE CFI REPORTED THAT UPON LIFTOFF, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN DRIFT LEFT. WHEN HE TRIED TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION HE FOUND THAT HE COULD NOT MOVE THE CYCLIC TO THE RIGHT. WHILE DRIFTING TO THE LEFT, THE LEFT REAR SKID HIT THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT TILTED BACK AND THE TAILROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. THE CFI LATER REPORTED THAT THE CYCLIC COULD NOT BE MOVED TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE THE STUDENT PILOTS LEG WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE CYCLIC AND THE VENT DOOR. WHEN THE STUDENT TRIED TO PULL HIS LEG BACK OUT OF THE WAY, HE ALSO PULLED THE CYCLIC BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8556M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0451
- Airframe hours: 738
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hervert Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 3, 1986
- Airport: FCM, Flying Cloud Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 839 total, 558 in this make and model, 712 as pilot in command, 251 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCM

## 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 19860807037889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860807037889A), Aug 7, 1986: Robsin R22ALPHA, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. The helicopter tailrotor struck the ground. Student inadvertently interfered with cyclic control during takeoff.

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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