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NTSB Report
July 17, 1992 · Robinson R-22 · N83556
Fresno, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 17, 1992
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Fresno, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N83556
Operator
Mazzei Flying Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX92LA301
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.
NTSB 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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN83556
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMazzei Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO