Robinson R22-B N8069X
30 September 1992 · Martinez, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 30 September 1992 at about 21:45 local time, a Robinson R22-B registered N8069X, operated by Helicopter Adventures Inc., was involved in an accident near Martinez, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 21:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Martinez, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 37.9797, -122.1506
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22-B
- Registration
- N8069X
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Helicopter Adventures Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Concord → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX92FA410
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
AN UNDETERMINED DIVERGENCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION WHICH RESULTED IN ROTOR CONTACT TO THE FUSELAGE AND PASSENGER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT DEPARTED FOR A SHORT HELICOPTER DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT IN CLEAR VFR CONDITIONS. THREE MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE HELICOPTER WAS OVER-FLYING AN URBAN PARK AREA, ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 MILES WEST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. WITNESSES HEARD POPPING, BANGING, AND THUMPING NOISES. THE ENGINE THEN QUIT RUNNING. THE MAIN ROTOR DEPARTED ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION WITH SUFFICIENT RPM TO CONTACT THE RIGHT FRONT PORTION OF THE COCKPIT WINDSHIELD AND STRIKE THE RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER. MAIN ROTOR RPM THEN IMMEDIATELY DECAYED AND STOPPED. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN OBSERVED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ANGLE OF DESCENT UNTIL IMPACTING THE GROUND. NO MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE, DRIVE TRAIN, OR FLIGHT CONTROLS WAS FOUND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Sep 1992 | Robinson R22 | Alpine, Texas, United States | Helicopters International | Fatal | 1 |
| 17 May 1992 | Robinson R22 BETA | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | Volar Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 4 Mar 1992 | Robinson R22 | Maricopa, Arizona, United States | Wesley F. Morris | Fatal | 1 |
| 5 Oct 1992 | Robinson R22 BETA | Naples, Florida, United States | The London Co. | Minor injuries | - |
| 29 Jun 1992 | Robinson R22 | Richmond, California, United States | Sierra Academy of Aeronautics | Fatal | 2 |
| 14 Sep 1992 | Robinson R22 | Ojai, California, United States | Giffoni, KIM | No 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 | - |