# Accident 20020522013799A: Robsin R22, Mammothlakes, CA, May 22, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 22, 2002, 15:06 local time
- Place: Mammothlakes, CA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.6164° N, 119.0006° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6164&lon=-119.0006&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7194J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7194J-2013-08-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA173) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020522013799A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE ROBINSON R-22 HELICOPTER DEPARTED MAMMOTH LAKES AIRPORT AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 HOURS AFTER TAKING ON 20 GALLONS OF FUEL, TOPPING OFF THE TANK. THE AWOS WEATHER WAS REPORTED AT 1501 HOURS AS WIND 290 DEGREES AT 14 GUSTING TO 19 KNOTS, SKY CLEAR BELOW 12000 WITH 10 MILES VISIBILITY. TEMPERATURE 59 DEGREES F AND DEW POINT 16F. DENSITY ALTITUDE CALCULATED AT 8700 FEET. AT 1605, A REPORT WAS MADE BY TWO HIKERS OF THE HELICOPTER ACCIDENT NEAR LAKE MARY ROAD, APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MMH (MAMMOTH LAKES AIRPORT). THE HELICOPTER WAS RESTING ON IT'S RIGHT SIDE ON A MAGNETIC HEADING OF 050 DEGREES IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA. SEVERED TREE LIMBS AND BRANCHES, WHICH DISPLAYED FRESH CUTS, WERE LOCATED WITHIN A 40-FOOT RADIUS OF THE HELICOPTER. THE TOPS OF THREE TREES APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET HIGH DISPLAYED SEVERED BRANCHES. THE OUTBOARD 36" OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE AND 42" OF THE OTHER ROTOR BLADE WERE SEPARATED AND CAME TO REST 56 AND 90 FEET FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER WAS RECOVERED TO PLAIN PARTS, PLEASANT GROVE, CA. FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX02FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA173), May 22, 2002: Robinson R22 Beta (N7194J), Mammoth Lakes, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's poor decision to continue the flight into the rising mountainous terrain, and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Contributing factors were rising mountainous…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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