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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

May 26, 1990 · Robinson R22B · N528EE

Payson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Payson, AZ
Aircraft
Robinson R22B
Tail Number
N528EE
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90FA202

DURING A DUAL FLT OVER HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE CFI & HIS STUDENT OBSERVED THE ACTIVATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR CHIP WARNING LIGHT. THE CFI ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG, & HE ATTEMPTED TO CONVEY THE NEED TO PERSONALLY HANDLE THE ACFT. SEVERAL TIMES THE CFI TOLD HIS STUDENT THAT HE WAS GOING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, BUT THE FOREIGN STUDENT'S ENGLISH WAS INSUFFICIENT TO ADEQUATELY COMMUNICATE WITH THE CFI, & THE FOREIGN STUDENT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE CFI'S VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS. DURING THE APPROACH TO THE CLEARING THE STUDENT BECAME NERVOUS, TENSE, & TIGHTLY HELD ON TO THE CONTROLS. THE STUDENT SUBSEQUENTLY RECOGNIZED THAT HIS ACTION INHIBITED THE CFI FROM PROPERLY HANDLING THE ACFT. WHEN A LOW ROTOR RPM CONDITION OCCURRED THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD & ROLLED OVER. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE OWNER OF THE FLT SCHOOL, WHO WAS A DESIGNEE, ISSUED THE FOREIGN STUDENT AN UNRESTRICTED PLT CERTIFICATE.

NTSB Probable Cause

CONTROL INTERFERENCE WHICH THE CFI ENCOUNTERED DURING LANDING FLARE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE STUDENT NOT UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CFI, THE UNCLEAR LANGUAGE AND THE OPERATOR'S INADEQUATE CERTIFICATION OF THE AIRMAN.

Full Narrative

DURING A DUAL FLT OVER HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE CFI & HIS STUDENT OBSERVED THE ACTIVATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR CHIP WARNING LIGHT. THE CFI ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG, & HE ATTEMPTED TO CONVEY THE NEED TO PERSONALLY HANDLE THE ACFT. SEVERAL TIMES THE CFI TOLD HIS STUDENT THAT HE WAS GOING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, BUT THE FOREIGN STUDENT'S ENGLISH WAS INSUFFICIENT TO ADEQUATELY COMMUNICATE WITH THE CFI, & THE FOREIGN STUDENT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE CFI'S VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS. DURING THE APPROACH TO THE CLEARING THE STUDENT BECAME NERVOUS, TENSE, & TIGHTLY HELD ON TO THE CONTROLS. THE STUDENT SUBSEQUENTLY RECOGNIZED THAT HIS ACTION INHIBITED THE CFI FROM PROPERLY HANDLING THE ACFT. WHEN A LOW ROTOR RPM CONDITION OCCURRED THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD & ROLLED OVER. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE OWNER OF THE FLT SCHOOL, WHO WAS A DESIGNEE, ISSUED THE FOREIGN STUDENT AN UNRESTRICTED PLT CERTIFICATE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22B
Tail NumberN528EE
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data