- Date
- August 13, 1991, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place
- Chandler, AZ
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N4037ARobinson R22B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 3, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910813033949A
- Case key
- 27326
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The failure of the student pilot to maintain adequate control of the helicopter and stop a descent, while maneuvering. The pilot's disorientation was a contributing factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The student pilot was practicing maneuvers in a local practice area. He said that while performing some turns, he lost his orientation, became 'dizzy,' and the helicopter hit the ground hard, then rolled over. The helicopter was examined and no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure was identified.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4037A
- Reported as
- Robinson R22B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 1561
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Arizona Wing & Rotor, Inc.
- Registered owner
- Arizona Wing & Rotor, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 2000
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 30
- Certificate
- Student
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 63 total · 63 in this make and model · 5 as pilot in command · 63 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 4 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility
- 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 106 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.