# NTSB LAX02LA090: Young Mini-500, N500JY, Paso Robles, CA, February 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 2002, 13:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Paso Robles, CA - Coordinates: 35.643333, -120.54972 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6433&lon=-120.5497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54245 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54245/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54245 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA090 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command ## Analysis Seconds after taking off from an open field, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted power lines that the pilot had not seen. The pilot lost control of the helicopter and it impacted the ground, then rolled over. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 2002, about 1335 Pacific standard time, a Young Mini-500, N500JY, collided with power lines during the initial climb from a clearing about 4 miles southeast of Paso Robles, California. The airline transport certificated pilot/owner operated the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local area personal flight was originating at the time. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that, at the time of the accident, the visibility was 5 miles and the surface wind was light. The pilot intended to reposition his helicopter from an open field onto a nearby trailer. Seconds after taking off, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted a power line that he had not observed. Thereafter, he lost control of the helicopter and it impacted the ground and rolled over. No non-impact related mechanical malfunctions or failures were experienced during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N500JY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N500JY-2002-09-09), registration cancelled 2002-09-09, S/N 411 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Young Mini-500 - Registry model: [Young G P/Young J MINI-500](https://openairdocs.org/model/young-g-p-young-j-mini-500) (registry code 05606T7) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 411 - Airframe hours: 42 - Engines: Rotax 582 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glenn P. Young - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, February 10, 2002, 1 hours before - Departed: Paso Robles, CA - Destination: PRB, Paso Robles, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2000; seat: single; flight hours: 10,920 total, 42 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: PRB, 4 nm away ## 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 20020222003199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020222003199A), Feb 22, 2002: Amtr MINI500, Pasorobles, CA, No damage. (.19) On February 22, 2002, about 1335 hours pacific standard time, a young mini-500, N500JY, collided with power lines during initial climb from a clearing… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54245. 296 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 296 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389158&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.