Robinson R22 BETA N40049

Summary

On 24 September 1993 at about 21:54 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N40049 was involved in an accident near Wildomar, 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

24 September 1993 at 21:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Wildomar, California, United States

Coordinates

33.6193, -117.2507

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N40049

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

La Verne → Murrieta

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93FA369

2 people died.

THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE AFTER BEING STRUCK BY THE PILOT'S KNEE BOARD, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE KNEE BOARD WHILE IN FLIGHT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

WITNESSES HEARD TWO BANG NOISES FOLLOWED BY THE HELICOPTER SHEDDING DEBRIS. THE HELICOPTER THEN BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT, AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX, TAIL ROTOR BLADES, AND VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SEPARATED BEFORE THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE LEFT DOOR OF THE HELICOPTER WAS REMOVED FOR THE FLIGHT. AN ALUMINUM KNEE BOARD, BELONGING TO THE PILOT, WAS FOUND OUTSIDE THE HELICOPTER NEAR ONE OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES. IT EXHIBITED IMPACT DAMAGE AND PAINT TRANSFER CONSISTENT WITH THE COLOR OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES. THE TIP OF ONE OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES EXHIBITED DAMAGE ON THE LEADING EDGE CONSISTENT WITH STRIKING A METALLIC OBJECT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.