# NTSB LAX92LA301: Robinson R-22, N83556, Fresno, CA, July 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1992, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.860763, -119.759033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8608&lon=-119.7590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27690
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27690/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA301

## Probable cause

THE CFI'S POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO PROCEED OVER THE TREES INSTEAD OF THE PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED RIGHT CIRCLING TURNS AND BOTH PILOTS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK-OUT.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE TREES THAT PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED THE VIEW OF THE POWER LINE WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE CFI DEMONSTRATED A RIGHT CIRCLING CONFINED AREA APPROACH IN A STAND OF OAK TREES AFTER FLYING OVER THE AREA.  HE THEN INSTRUCTED THE DUAL STUDENT TO PERFORM THE MANEUVER.  AFTER THE DUAL STUDENT COMPLETED TWO SUCCESSFUL CONFINED AREA APPROACHES TO A HOVER, THE CFI ASSUMED THE CONTROLS AND DEPARTED STRAIGHT OUT OVER THE LOWEST SECTION OF THE TREES.  SECONDS LATER THE HELICOPTER STRUCK SOME POWER LINE WIRES THAT WERE PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED FROM VIEW BY THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83556](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83556-1993-01-05), registration cancelled 1993-01-05, S/N 0300 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0300
- Airframe hours: 5787
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mazzei Flying Service
- Registered owner: Burnstein, Robert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1992, 16 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,460 total, 1,260 in this make and model, 4,367 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19920717025909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920717025909A), Jul 17, 1992: Robsin R22, Fresno, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Practice approaches to confined area. Then elected to depart area thru gap in trees. Struck unseen wires. Crashed.

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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