Robinson R22B N2634N

Summary

On 11 January 1992 at about 23:15 local time, a Robinson R22B registered N2634N, operated by Watson Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Lake Hughes, 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

11 January 1992 at 23:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Lake Hughes, California, United States

Coordinates

34.6892, -118.5193

Aircraft

Robinson R22B

Registration

N2634N

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Watson Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lancaster → Pacoima

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX92LA087

Nobody was injured.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WHILE MANEUVERING AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF THE LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE 77 HOUR NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT SAID HE PERFORMED A RIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN AT ABOUT 500 FEET AGL. DURING THE TURN THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING HORN AND LIGHT CAME ON. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN ROTOR RPM BY MANIPULATING THE THROTTLE AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION, LANDED HARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.