# NTSB LAX87FA147: Robinson R-22-A, N2256M, Scottsdale, AZ, March 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1987, 11:17 local (18:17 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.240745, -111.779243 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2407&lon=-111.7792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25390/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA147

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor - diverged
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER STOP & APPEAR TO FLY BACKWARDS ON DOWNWIND BEFORE IT FELL TO THE GROUND IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THEY ALSO NOTED THAT PORTIONS OF THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL SECTION SEPARATED AS IT FELL TO THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A MAIN ROTOR STRIKE ON THE TAILBOOM OF THE HELICOPTER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2256M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2256M-1988-04-27), registration cancelled 1988-04-27, S/N 0498 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22-A
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0498
- Airframe hours: 202
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Arizona Wing & Rotor
- Registered owner: Lm Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 21, 1986, 97 hours before
- Departed: SDL
- Airport: SDL, Scottsdale, runway 21, 8,250 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 180 total, 180 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDL, 1 nm away

## 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 19870316008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870316008009A), Mar 16, 1987: Robsin R22ALPHA, Scottsdale, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Indicates student may have used improper inputs. CFI tried to recover and main rotor hit tail boom. Spun 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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