Robinson R-22B accident near Phoenix, Arizona, July 5, 1991
On July 5, 1991 at about 11:39 pm local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N23039, was destroyed in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A DIVERGENCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHICH RESULTED IN ROTOR CONTACT TO THE COCKPIT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 1991 · about 11:39 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N23039 · no longer on the register · serial 1846
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,656 hours in all; 500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SDL Scottsdale AZ at 11:31 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 11:56 pm from SDL, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N23039 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.