# NTSB LAX89LA115: Robinson R22, N9076K, Hayward, CA, February 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1989, 08:26 local (16:26 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.669498, -122.079711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6695&lon=-122.0797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA115

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF AIRPORT PERSONNEL TO ASSURE THE TAIWAY WAS FREE OF OBJECTS AFTER THE TAXIWAY WAS PAINTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - other airport/runway maintenance - improper, airport personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - directional control - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT & HIS INSTRUCTOR (CFI) DEPARTED OAKLAND ON A VFR INSTRUCTIONAL FLT TO HAYWARD IN A ROBINSON R22 HELICOPTER. THEY LANDED ON TAXIWAY (TWY) 2, THEN TOOK OFF FOR ANOTHER TRAFFIC PATTERN & LANDING. THE CFI THEN INSTRUCTED THE PVT PLT TO MAKE A RUNNING TAKEOFF. DRG THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, THE HELICOPTER'S LEFT SKID STRUCK AN ALIGNMENT DEVICE WHICH WAS PROTRUDING ABOVE THE TWY SURFACE. AFTER HITTING THE DEVICE, THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A VIOLENT LEFT YAW & BECAME AIRBORNE. THE CFI WAS ABLE TO ARREST THE YAW, BUT HE COULD NOT STOP A RAPID DESCENT THAT DEVELOPED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER'S UNDERCARRIAGE, VERTICAL STABILIZER, RIGHT DOOR & FUSELAGE SKIN WERE DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONTRACTORS HAD RECENTLY PAINTED THE TWY & HAD LEFT THE ALIGNMENT DEVICE PROTRUDING ABOUT 1/2 INCH ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE TWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9076K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9076K-1994-12-23), registration cancelled 1994-12-23, S/N 0247 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0247
- Airframe hours: 1160
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Skyline Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Skyline Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 16, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Airport: HWD, Hayward Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,120 total, 940 in this make and model, 870 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD

## 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 19890224002689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890224002689A), Feb 24, 1989: Robsin R22, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. Student made running takeoff on taxiway. Skid hit spike sticking up in taxiway. Lost control. CFI unable to recover

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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