# NTSB LAX81FUA06: Robinson R-22, N32AD, Long Beach, CA, April 8, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 8, 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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FUA06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FUA06

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0896   81/4/8    LONG BEACH,CA       ROBINSON R-22       CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 36, 5881
        TIME - 1325                    N32AD               PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      TOTAL HOURS, 41 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LONG BEACH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LONG BEACH,CA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        REMARKS- PRACTICE HOVERING SESSION CONDUCTED WITHIN BOUNDARIES OF ARPT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32AD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32AD), registered now, S/N 0002, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- 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 19810408014959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810408014959A), Apr 8, 1981: Robsin R22, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Gust turned helicopter hovering on air taxi practice. Over controlled. Tail rotor hit ground & broke off.

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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