Robinson R-22 N8363Q

Summary

On 21 May 1995 at about 21:20 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N8363Q, operated by North Valley Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Redding, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 May 1995 at 21:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Redding, California, United States

Coordinates

40.5994, -122.4604

Aircraft

Robinson R-22

Registration

N8363Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

North Valley Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX95LA191

2 people had minor injuries.

the pilot's improper use of the flight controls. The downward-sloping terrain and the intermittent gusty wind conditions were factors in this accident.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS LANDING THE HELICOPTER IN AN OPEN AREA ON THE NORTH SIDE OF A LAKE. THE LANDING AREA TERRAIN SLOPED DOWNWARD WITH TREES TO THE NORTH. ON THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT FELT THE LEFT SKID TOUCH UNEVEN TERRAIN. THE PILOT RAISED THE HELICOPTER TO A 2-FOOT HOVER. MOMENTS LATER, A GUST OF WIND STRUCK THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO ROLL TO THE LEFT AND THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE AND CYCLIC INPUTS. THE HELICOPTER RESPONDED TO THE CONTROL INPUTS AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND TRAVELED REARWARD UNTIL IT HIT A TREE. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE HELICOPTER DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. GROUND WITNESSES CONFIRMED THE PILOT'S STATEMENT AND ALSO SAID THAT GUSTY WINDS EXISTED IN THE LANDING AREA, BUT NOT ON THE LAKE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.