# NTSB LAX89LA331: Robinson R22, N9078U, Scottsdale, AZ, September 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1989, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.609615, -111.889167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6096&lon=-111.8892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA331

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI).  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE CFI'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND THE FENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & A STUDENT PILOT WERE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS.  THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS FROM THE STUDENT DURING AN ABORTED AUTOROTION & INITIATED A GO-AROUND.  THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL ROTOR STRUCK AN UNSEEN FENCE DURING THE GO-AROUND, & THE CFI MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  THE CFI SAID THAT THE ACDNT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD BEEN FAMILIAR WITH THE LANDING AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9078U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9078U-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 0184 (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: 184
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Arizona Wing And Rotor
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,274 total, 1,264 in this make and model, 1,231 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 13 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19890927037399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890927037399A), Sep 27, 1989: Robsin R22, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. CFI took over controls for a go around after a practice autororation to hover. Hit tail rotor on fence and aborted.

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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