Robinson R-22B N2335Q

Summary

On 25 July 1992 at about 22:45 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N2335Q, operated by Civic Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Carlsbad, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 July 1992 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Carlsbad, California, United States

Coordinates

33.1297, -117.3004

Aircraft

Robinson R-22B

Registration

N2335Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Civic Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX92LA315

Nobody was injured.

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM DURING A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT HE AND HIS COMMERCIALLY RATED DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURES AFTER TAKE OFF. HE SAID THAT DURING THEIR THIRD PRACTICE ENGINE FAILURE, THE 'HELICOPTER GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND, AND THE (MAIN ROTOR) RPM (HAD) NOT RECOVERED HIGH ENOUGH FOR (CONTINUED) FLIGHT.' THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SAID HE TOOK THE CONTROLS FROM THE STUDENT AND SLID THE HELICOPTER ON TO ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. HE SAID THAT DURING THE LANDING SLIDE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED THE REAR SECTION OF THE TAIL BOOM.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.