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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

November 24, 1990 · Robinson R22BETA · N80783

Simi Valley, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 24, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Simi Valley, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R22BETA
Tail Number
N80783
Operator
Orbic Helicopter
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA037

THE CFI STATED THE STUDENT WAS A 'BETTER THAN AVERAGE' PILOT. THE STUDENT HAD ACCUMULATED 37 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS, APPROACH TO LANDINGS, AND TRAFFIC PATTERNS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA. THERE WERE NO EYE WITNESSES TO THE CRASH. THE WRECKAGE WAS PARTIALLY CONSUMED BY FIRE, AND THE UPPER LEFT DOOR FRAME WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE AND EXHIBITED BLACK PAINT TRANSFER FROM BEING STRUCK BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE DIVERGED FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM.

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 TAILBOOM AND COCKPIT.

Full Narrative

THE CFI STATED THE STUDENT WAS A 'BETTER THAN AVERAGE' PILOT. THE STUDENT HAD ACCUMULATED 37 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS, APPROACH TO LANDINGS, AND TRAFFIC PATTERNS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA. THERE WERE NO EYE WITNESSES TO THE CRASH. THE WRECKAGE WAS PARTIALLY CONSUMED BY FIRE, AND THE UPPER LEFT DOOR FRAME WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE AND EXHIBITED BLACK PAINT TRANSFER FROM BEING STRUCK BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE DIVERGED FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:03 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22BETA
Tail NumberN80783
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorOrbic Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 18 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:46
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data