# NTSB LAX90FA202: Robinson R22B, N528EE, Payson, AZ, May 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1990, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Payson, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.190567, -111.169967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1906&lon=-111.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26631
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26631/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA202

## Probable cause

CONTROL INTERFERENCE WHICH THE CFI ENCOUNTERED DURING LANDING FLARE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE STUDENT NOT UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CFI, THE UNCLEAR LANGUAGE AND THE OPERATOR'S INADEQUATE CERTIFICATION OF THE AIRMAN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - undetermined
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
- Miscellaneous/other, approach
  - communications - not understood, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - information unclear(language), dual student (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - interpretation of instructions - confusing, dual student (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - control interference - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, dual student
  - terrain condition - high terrain

## Analysis

DURING A DUAL FLT OVER HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE CFI & HIS STUDENT OBSERVED THE ACTIVATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR CHIP WARNING LIGHT. THE CFI ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG, & HE ATTEMPTED TO CONVEY THE NEED TO PERSONALLY HANDLE THE ACFT. SEVERAL TIMES THE CFI TOLD HIS STUDENT THAT HE WAS GOING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, BUT THE FOREIGN STUDENT'S ENGLISH WAS INSUFFICIENT TO ADEQUATELY COMMUNICATE WITH THE CFI, & THE FOREIGN STUDENT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE CFI'S VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS. DURING THE APPROACH TO THE CLEARING THE STUDENT BECAME NERVOUS, TENSE, & TIGHTLY HELD ON TO THE CONTROLS. THE STUDENT SUBSEQUENTLY RECOGNIZED THAT HIS ACTION INHIBITED THE CFI FROM PROPERLY HANDLING THE ACFT. WHEN A LOW ROTOR RPM CONDITION OCCURRED THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD & ROLLED OVER. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE OWNER OF THE FLT SCHOOL, WHO WAS A DESIGNEE, ISSUED THE FOREIGN STUDENT AN UNRESTRICTED PLT CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N528EE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N528EE-2015-03-10), registration cancelled 2015-03-10, S/N 0528, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 528
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arizona Wing & Rotor, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1990
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: METEOR CRATER, AZ
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 470 total, 470 in this make and model, 416 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °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 19900526017789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900526017789A), May 26, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Tail rotor chip light on. Elected to land in desert. Student froze on controls caused low rotor RPM and hard impact

## Other investigations on N528EE (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL03LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA039), Feb 1, 2003: Robinson R22 (N528EE), Fort Lauderdale, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The private pilots improper use of flight controls during a run on landing resulting in a roll over.

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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