# NTSB LAX81FA038: Robinson R22, N9031Y, Long Beach, CA, January 21, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 21, 1981
- Place: Long Beach, CA · LONG BEACH, CA
- Location: 33.7670° N, 118.1892° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Long Beach, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7670&lon=-118.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA038
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA038

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3502  81/1/21    LONG BEACH,CA       ROBINSON R22        CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 0904                    N9031Y              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      31, 1892 TOTAL HOURS, 181
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LONG BEACH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LONG BEACH,CA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: SUBSTANDARD QUALITY CONTROL
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        REMARKS- MN GEAR BOX INPUT FLEX CPLNG YOKE,A194,FAILED.CRACKS FND UNDER CADMIUM PLATING,DECARBURIZED ZONE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9031Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9031Y-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 0078, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Long Beach

## 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 19810121002459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810121002459A), Jan 21, 1981: Robsin R22, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Main rotor gear box input flex coupling yoke failed while hovering. Helicopter dropped to ground.

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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