Robinson R-22B N4071J
4 April 1992 · Carlsbad, California, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 4 April 1992 at about 18:20 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N4071J, operated by Civic Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Carlsbad, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. 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 18:20
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Carlsbad, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.1290, -117.2999
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B
- Registration
- N4071J
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Civic Helicopters, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX92LA168
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, HIS FAILURE TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE IN A TIMELY FASHION, AND THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO PRACTICE AUTOROTATIONS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE SAFETY PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PILOT ENTERED A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING WITH THE INTENTION OF PERFORMING A POWER RECOVERY. HE SAID THE PILOT STARTED A 'FLARE' AT ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. HE FURTHER REPORTED THAT AT ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE HELICOPTER'S DESCENT TO ACCELERATE. THE SAFETY PILOT THEN JOINED THE PILOT IN TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL. HE SAID THE RATE OF DESCENT WAS REDUCED. THE SAFETY PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED ITS DESCENT WITH ONE SKID ON A 'ONE FOOT ROCK BUILT UP AREA.' THE SAFETY PILOT SAID '...THE AIRCRAFT QUICKLY (AND WITHOUT ANY WAY TO RECOVER) TIPPED OVER ON ITS SIDE (LEFT).' THE SAFETY PILOT SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THEY (HE AND THE OTHER PILOT) HAD RECOVERED AT '1-2 FOOT OF HEIGHT' BUT THE RAISED ROCK AREA CAUGHT THE SKID CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLLOVER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22B accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 May 1992 | Robinson R-22B | Sun Valley, California, United States | Complete Aviation Services | No injuries | - |
| 23 Dec 1992 | Robinson R-22B | Long Beach, California, United States | CSR Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 1992 | Robinson R-22B | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fredrick G. Cleeves | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jan 1992 | Robinson R-22B | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | Wilkes, Clyde H. | No injuries | - |
| 28 Mar 1992 | Robinson R-22B | Phillipsburg, Ohio, United States | M.g. Helicopters, Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 1992 | Robinson R-22B | Barstow, California, United States | Helicopter Services of Nevada | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1992 | Piper PA-28R-201T | Ludlow, California, United States | Higgins, Melvin W & Jean | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Feb 1992 | Beechcraft C-23 | Fullerton, California, United States | Eldon R. Howe | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 150 | San Jose, California, United States | Veda Corporation | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 182N | San Ardo, California, United States | Soil Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Grumman G-164B | Dixon, California, United States | Sunrise Duster, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Bellanca 7ECA | Apple Valley, California, United States | Chester Waite | Serious injuries | - |