# NTSB LAX87DUJ01: Robinson R-22, N9006W, Tucson, AZ, November 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1986, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.149349, -110.930122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1493&lon=-110.9301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUJ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - chafed (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER 50 MINUTES OF CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED A DECREASE IN OIL PRESSURE TO ZERO AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT. THE PILOT LANDED THE HELICOPTER AND HAD AN AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS OBSERVED. THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND CONTINUED THE INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, LETTING HIS STUDENT TAKE OVER THE CONTROLS. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF NORMAL OPERATION AND ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING AT 75 FT AGL AND 50 KNOTS, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATION. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AT AN AIRSPEED OF 35 TO 40 KNOTS. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9006W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9006W-1989-03-20), registration cancelled 1989-03-20, S/N 0004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0004
- Airframe hours: 1559
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Arizona Wing & Rotor
- Registered owner: Ronald Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1986, 56 hours before
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: TUS, Tucson Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 240 total, 240 in this make and model, 173 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 31.00 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 19861130062479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861130062479A), Nov 30, 1986: Robsin R22, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed. The engine lost power. The helicopter autorotated to a landing and rolled over. The connecting rod was broken.

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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