# NTSB LAX89LA289: Robinson R-22B, N80040, Tracy, CA, August 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1989, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.729335, -121.419166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7293&lon=-121.4192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA289

## Probable cause

DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY FLARE THE HELICOPTER DURING THE AUTOROTATION POWER RECOVERY AND THE CFI'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE DUAL STUDENT'S PERFORMACE DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - flare - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING POWER RECOVERY AUTOROTATIONS THE DUAL STUDENT PLT FLARED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE CFI ATTEMPTED TO FLARE THE HELICOPTER BUT IT STRUCK THE GROUND BEFORE THE DESCENT COULD BE ARRESTED. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80040](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80040-1991-05-14), registration cancelled 1991-05-14, S/N 0940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0940
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Airport: 1Q4, New Jerusalem

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 883 total, 765 in this make and model, 623 as pilot in command, 227 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890826032909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890826032909A), Aug 26, 1989: Robsin R22BETA, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. Student leveled off nose low on recovery from practice autorotation. CFI unable to recover made a hard landing.

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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