Robinson R22 N971JG
2 August 1989 · Palm Springs, California, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 2 August 1989 at about 22:08 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N971JG was involved in an accident near Palm Springs, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:08
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Palm Springs, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.8495, -116.5596
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22
- Registration
- N971JG
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Santa Ana → Palm Springs
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX89LA259
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MANIPULATE THE THROTTLE CONTROL TO MAINTAIN ENGINE/ROTOR RPM AND HIS DECISION TO ENTER AN AUTOROTATION (FORCED LANDING). HIS EAGERNESS TO LAND AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
WHILE ENROUTE TO HIS FIRST DESTINATION OF A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE RECENTLY RATED PILOT OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE RPM SIGHTLY BELOW THE NORMAL RANGE. HE WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE THE RPM AND ELECTED TO ENTER AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT TO THE GROUND. DURING THE AUTOROTATION, HE OBSERVED ELECTRICAL POWER LINES IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND MANEUVERED TO AVOID THEM. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SERIOUSLY INJURING THE PILOT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Sep 1989 | Robinson R22 | Scottsdale, Arizona, United States | Arizona Wing and Rotor | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1989 | Robinson R22 | Austin, Texas, United States | Alan Smith | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 Feb 1989 | Robinson R22 | Hayward, California, United States | Skyline Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 1989 | Robinson R22 | Manassas, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Oct 1989 | Robinson R22 | Bethpage, New York, United States | American Helicopters Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1989 | Robinson R22 | Brinnon, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-31-350 | Ontario, California, United States | Ameriflight | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-25-235 | Warner Springs, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 1989 | Cessna 310K | Ojai, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 30 Sep 1989 | Cessna 182 | Eureka, California, United States | Nothern Air | No injuries | - |
| 30 Sep 1989 | Cessna 152 | Lancaster, California, United States | West Coast Air Center | Fatal | 2 |
| 29 Sep 1989 | Bellanca 17-30A | Palo Alto, California, United States | Klouda, Linda K. | Minor injuries | - |