# NTSB LAX00LA279: Robinson R-22 Beta, N888KB, Phoenix, AZ, July 27, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2000, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.690299, -111.999366 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6903&lon=-111.9994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 6, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 49831 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49831/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=49831 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA279 ## Probable cause The helicopter had a tail rotor failure. The reason for the failure is undetermined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) operating - rotor system,tail rotor - failure (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined ## Analysis The helicopter had a tail rotor failure while bringing the engine up to full power before takeoff. In preparation for departure, the pilot released the control frictions and began to increase the throttle. As the power approached 95 percent, but before engaging the governor, the aircraft began to shake uncontrollably and the antitorque pedals began to move under his feet. He immediately reduced the throttle to idle, took out the checklist, and shutdown the aircraft per the instructions. He noted visible damage to the tail rotor and vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2000, at 0900 hours mountain standard time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N888KB, experienced a tail rotor failure while standing with the engine and rotors idling in a field near Phoenix, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was being operated as an instructional flight by Universal Helicopters, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Wickenburg, Arizona, earlier that morning. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he intended to land in a field used by the operator as a practice area in order to make some entries in his navigational log. He initiated his approach to the center of a field, terminating at a 5-foot hover. He then hovered forward about 150 feet looking for a smooth, level surface on which to touch down. After selecting his touchdown point, he performed a 360-degree pedal turn to determine wind direction and make certain he would be landing into the wind. He performed a smooth touchdown, reduced the throttle to idle, turned the governor off, and set the control frictions. He was at idle for about a minute, entering his flight time on his cross-country log and determining the heading for the final leg back to Scottsdale airport. In preparation for departure, the pilot released the control frictions and began to increase the throttle. As the power approached 95 percent, but before engaging the governor, the aircraft began to shake uncontrollably and the antitorque pedals began to move under his feet. He immediately reduced the throttle to idle, took out the checklist, and shutdown the aircraft per the instructions. After shutdown, the pilot exited the aircraft and inspected it for damage. He noted visible damage to the tail rotor and vertical stabilizer. He then notified the operator by cell phone and stayed with the aircraft until help arrived. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888KB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888KB-2013-05-20), registration cancelled 2013-05-20, S/N 3072, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 Beta (R-22) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3072 - Airframe hours: 125 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 JZA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Gordon Jiroux, doing business as Universal Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Kelly & Susan Brown - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 2000, 25 hours before - Departed: E25, WICKENBURG, AZ - Destination: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 109 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: PHX ## 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 20000727039819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000727039819A), Jul 27, 2000: Robsin R22BETA, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23)During solo cross country flight student pilot landed in a desert area used as a practice landing site. After touchdown the aircraft remained on the… ## Other investigations on N888KB (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 LAX03FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA054), Dec 23, 2002: Robinson R22 Beta (N888KB), Dolan Springs, AZ, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from power lines. A factor was the pilot's decision to conduct cruise flight at a low altitude. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 10, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=49831. 445 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 409 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411083&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40164547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.