# NTSB LAX82FVD16: Scorpion 133, N19NS, Fremont, CA, May 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1982, 18:30 local (May 8, 1982, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.499755, -121.960556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4998&lon=-121.9606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVD16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVD16

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - control interference - initiated, dual student (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT, BUILDER OF THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT WITH AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT (IP). THE STUDENT HAD ABOUT 71 HOURS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL WHILE THE IP HAD 18 HOURS. AFTER MAKING TWO LANDINGS, A DESCENDING TURN WAS MADE TO A DOWNWIND AT ABOUT 15 FT AGL TO DEMONSTRATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AIRSPEED AND GROUND SPEED. AFTER THAT, THE IP INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT TO FOLLOW THROUGH AS HE (THE IP) WAS GOING TO MAKE A CLIMBING TURN TO POSITION THE HELICOPTER FOR A NORMAL LANDING PATTERN. DURING THE CLIMB, THE IP FELT INTERFERENCE ON THE CONTROLS FROM THE STUDENT. THE AIRSPEED DROPPED NEAR ZERO AND THE HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT TO START SETTLING WITH POWER. REPORTEDLY, THE IP OVERPOWERED THE CONTROLS AND STARTED A RECOVERY, BUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID CONTACTING THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD, TILTED TO THE LEFT, AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. THE IP SAID THE STUDENT WAS RELUCTANT TO RELEASE THE CONTROLS WHEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N19NS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCORPION 133
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3839
- Airframe hours: 96
- Engines: RW 133 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Nicolai W. Stoopin
- Registered owner: Nicolai W. Stoopin
- Departed: Q59, FREMONT, CA
- Destination: Q59, FREMONT, CA
- Airport: Q59, Fremont, runway 31, 2,500 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,562 total, 18 in this make and model, 1,562 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820507017049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820507017049A), May 7, 1982: Amtrrw SCORPION*, Fremont, CA, Substantial damage. Due to student interference with controls, hard landing occurred causing damage. Preflight briefing inadequate.

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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