Robinson R22A N8529C

Summary

On 22 January 1989 at about 18:26 local time, a Robinson R22A registered N8529C was involved in an accident near Santa Barbara, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 January 1989 at 18:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Nearest airport

Santa Barbara (SBA)

Coordinates

34.4502, -119.7999

Aircraft

Robinson R22A

Registration

N8529C

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX89FA092

2 people died.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE, PROPER AIRSPEED FOR THE REDUCED VISIBILITY, AND AN ADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH POWER TRANSMISSION CABLE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED THE ARPT WITH VIS OF 4 MILES IN FOG. APPROACH CONTROL RADAR WAS OBSERVING THE HELICOPTER'S PROGRESS AND NOTED A 180 TURN WITH A DESCENT. THE ATCT ASKED THE PLT HIS INTENTIONS. THE PLT STATED HE PLANNED TO FOLLOW A HWY 2/10 OF A MILE NORTH OF THE APRT. WITNESSES IN ACCIDENT AREA DESCRIBED THE WEATHER AS SUNNY WITH COASTAL FOG. THE 1300 LB HELICOPTER STRUCK A 30,000 LB. TENSILE STRENGTH CABLE SEVERING IT. THE CABLE WAS SUSPENDED ACROSS A VALLEY IN MOUNTAINOUS-HILLY TERRAIN. IT WAS 294 FEET ABOVE THE CREEK AT THE HIGHEST POINT. 14 CFR PART 91.105, ALLOWS THE PLT TO OPERATE A HELICOPTER WHEN THE VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN ONE MILE 'IF OPERATED AT A SPEED THAT ALLOWS THE PILOT ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE ANY AIR TRAFFIC OR OBSTRUCTION IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.