Yamaha Fazer SAR accident near Reno, Nevada, August 29, 2023
On August 29, 2023 at about 5:05 pm local time, a 2021 Yamaha Fazer SAR (helicopter), registered N53GR, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Reno, Nevada (Reno/Stead airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The operator’s incorrect input into the ground station controller, resulting in a loss of control during flight and subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 29, 2023 · about 5:05 pm local time
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · Reno/Stead · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Yamaha Fazer SAR, built 2021
- Registration
- N53GR · registry record · serial L36-2-000113
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The operator of the uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) reported that, he and an external emergency safety pilot were conducting an engineering test flight to fine tune the autopilot’s tail rotor yaw limits. While hovering at 50 ft agl, the operator incorrectly input a full left tail rotor command, causing the UAS to begin a rapid counterclockwise rotation. The auto pilot was unable to maintain a level attitude or stabilize the UAS during the rotation, and descended uncontrollably. The safety pilot attempted to stabilize the UAS manually, using the emergency RC controller, to no avail. The UAS impacted the surface, resulting in substantial damage to the tailboom. The operator of the UAS reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Task monitoring/vigilance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight engineer
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 23,578 hours in all; 112 in this make and model; 4,860 as pilot in command; 2,691 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 5, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Other crew
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 58 hours in all; 296 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 13 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 3, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 144 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 6, 2023; 42.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 244 lb
- Seats: 0
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Yamaha Motor Co Fazer R (piston); 201 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 am from KRTS
Weather report (METAR): METAR KRTS 291555Z AUTO 17008G14KT 10SM CLR 24/M05 A3016
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on December 7, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.