# NTSB LAX91LA070: Robinson R22, N8005E, Scottsdale, AZ, January 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1991, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.609474, -111.889297 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6095&lon=-111.8893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA070

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S DELAY IN EXECUTING A RECOVERY FLARE FROM THE AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT, AND THE HELICOPTER'S INADEQUATE ALTITUDE DURING FLARE.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS RELATED TO THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT BEING INATTENTIVE TO HIS STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, dual student
  - emergency procedure - simulated
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE CFI AND HIS STUDENT WERE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS. ACCORDING TO THE CFI, HE HAD OBSERVED THAT HIS STUDENT WAS RECOVERING WITH INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.  THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE FAILED TO TAKE THE CONTROLS AWAY FROM HIS STUDENT AT A SUFFICIENTLY HIGH ALTITUDE TO EFFECTIVELY FLARE.  AS A RESULT, DURING THE CFI'S LOW ALTITUDE FLARE THE TAIL BOOM CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8005E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8005E-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 0896, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- 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: 896
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Arizona Wing & Rotor, Inc

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 799 total, 799 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 342 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- 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 19910109000299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910109000299A), Jan 9, 1991: Robsin R22BETA, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. Student flared too low on practice recovery from autorotation. Tail boom struck the 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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