# NTSB WPR23LA330: Yamaha Fazer SAR, N53GR, Reno, NV, August 29, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 29, 2023, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV · KRTS
- Coordinates: 39.685, -119.888
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6850&lon=-119.8880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192962/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192962
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA330

## Probable cause

The operator’s incorrect input into the ground station controller, resulting in a loss of control during flight and subsequent impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Yamaha Motor FAZER SAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=061015W), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yamaha Motor FAZER SAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=061015W), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yamaha Motor FAZER SAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=061015W), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Yamaha Motor FAZER SAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=061015W), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The operator of the uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) reported that, he and an external emergency safety pilot were conducting an engineering test flight to fine tune the autopilot’s tail rotor yaw limits. While hovering at 50 ft agl, the operator incorrectly input a full left tail rotor command, causing the UAS to begin a rapid counterclockwise rotation. The auto pilot was unable to maintain a level attitude or stabilize the UAS during the rotation, and descended uncontrollably. The safety pilot attempted to stabilize the UAS manually, using the emergency RC controller, to no avail. The UAS impacted the surface, resulting in substantial damage to the tailboom. The operator of the UAS reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53GR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53GR), registered now, S/N 1596F351901936428923, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: YAMAHA Fazer SAR
- Registry model: [Yamaha Motor FAZER SAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/yamaha-motor-fazer-sar) (registry code 061015W) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, unmanned
- Serial number: L36-2-000113
- Year built: 2021
- Airframe hours: 144
- Engines: Yamaha Motor Co Fazer R 27 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special); Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 6, 2023, 42.9 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: KRTS, Reno/Stead
- Equipment: Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 5, 2022; seat: none; flight hours: 23,578 total, 112 in this make and model, 4,860 as pilot in command
- Other flight crew; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2023; seat: none; flight hours: 58 total, 296 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observed at: KRTS
- METAR: METAR KRTS 291555Z AUTO 17008G14KT 10SM CLR 24/M05 A3016

## 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 20230829019159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230829019159A), Aug 29, 2023: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd FAZER SAR, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. During engineering testing of the cross-wind capabilities of the unmanned rotorcraft, the engineer made an input error to the tail rotor configuration software…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192962. 6.3 MB in all.

- Operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16262051&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA330_6120%20Rajacic_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16262351&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA330_6120%20Pruett_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16236344&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA330%20damage%20photos_508-Rel.pdf

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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