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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 5, 1991 · Robinson R-22B · N23039

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Robinson R-22B
Tail Number
N23039
Operator
Skyview Traffic Watch
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA288

WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE R22 IN CRUISE FLIGHT BETWEEN 300 & 500 FT AGL WHEN THEY HEARD A LOUD BANG & OBSERVED PIECES FALLING FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE & INITIATED A FIRE THAT GUTTED THE INTERIOR OF THE RESIDENCE & DESTROYED THE HELICOPTER WRECKAGE. PIECES OF THE LEFT SKID, WINDSCREEN BUBBLE & THE LEFT DOOR WERE LOCATED 1400 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, WHO HAD ACCUMULATED 500 HRS IN THE R22 AND WAS CRUISING TO WORK TO PERFORM HIS AERIAL TRAFFIC WATCH REPORTING DUTIES, WAS FATALLY INJURED. REMNANTS OF MODEL ROCKETS WERE LOCATED IN A VACANT LOT NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE MODEL ROCKETS WERE CHEMICALLY EXAMINED TO DETERMINE IF A SMUDGE ON THE HELICOPTER WINDSCREEN MATCHED THE RED SURFACE OF THE ROCKETS. THE SMUDGE DID NOT MATCH THE MATERIAL OF THE ROCKETS.

NTSB Probable Cause

A DIVERGENCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHICH RESULTED IN ROTOR CONTACT TO THE COCKPIT.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE R22 IN CRUISE FLIGHT BETWEEN 300 & 500 FT AGL WHEN THEY HEARD A LOUD BANG & OBSERVED PIECES FALLING FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE & INITIATED A FIRE THAT GUTTED THE INTERIOR OF THE RESIDENCE & DESTROYED THE HELICOPTER WRECKAGE. PIECES OF THE LEFT SKID, WINDSCREEN BUBBLE & THE LEFT DOOR WERE LOCATED 1400 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, WHO HAD ACCUMULATED 500 HRS IN THE R22 AND WAS CRUISING TO WORK TO PERFORM HIS AERIAL TRAFFIC WATCH REPORTING DUTIES, WAS FATALLY INJURED. REMNANTS OF MODEL ROCKETS WERE LOCATED IN A VACANT LOT NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE MODEL ROCKETS WERE CHEMICALLY EXAMINED TO DETERMINE IF A SMUDGE ON THE HELICOPTER WINDSCREEN MATCHED THE RED SURFACE OF THE ROCKETS. THE SMUDGE DID NOT MATCH THE MATERIAL OF THE ROCKETS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:39 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22B
Tail NumberN23039
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSkyview Traffic Watch
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 131
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 8 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data