# NTSB LAX86LA175: Robinson R22, N211DM, Grand Canyon, AZ, April 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1986, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.030761, -112.019424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0308&lon=-112.0194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA175

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A DIRT ROAD AND THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS AT A TWO TO FIVE FOOT HOVER WHEN A GUST OF WIND PIVOTED THE TAIL INTO THE WIND. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN AND ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT THE WINDS IN THE AREA WERE FROM 180 TO 210 DEGREES AND WERE GUSTING FROM 25 TO 40 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N211DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N211DM), registered now, S/N 0542 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 542
- Airframe hours: 89
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Morrow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1986
- Departed: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,500 total, 84 in this make and model, 7,033 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 25 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- 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 19860412011439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860412011439A), Apr 12, 1986: Robsin R22, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that gusty winds caused the aircraft to strike the ground during hover operations.

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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