# Accident 20021223034439A: Robsin R22BETA, Dolansprings, AZ, December 23, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 23, 2002, 11:37 local time
- Place: Dolansprings, AZ
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.5000° N, 114.5000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5000&lon=-114.5000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N888KB, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888KB-2013-05-20) (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 R22BETA
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX03FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA054) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021223034439A

## Narrative

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

(.19) ON DECEMBER 23, 2002, AT 1137 MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME, A ROBINSON R22 BETA, N888KB, COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AND IMPACTED DESERT TERRAIN NEAR DOLAN SPRINGS, ARIZONA. THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATED BY THE PILOT/OWNER UNDER 14 CFR PART 91. THE PRIVATE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, AT AN UNKNOWN TIME. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-93, AT MILEPOST 38.5, ABOUT 30 MILES NORTH OF KINGMAN, ARIZONA, HE SAW THE HELICOPTER FLYING OVER HIS LANE SOUTHBOUND ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT STRUCK POWER LINES. POWER COMPANY LINEMEN REPORTED THAT WIRES/CABLES ARE REQUIRED TO BE A MINIMUM OF 30 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. (-23) WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS SOUTH BOUND ON HWY 93. EYE WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING OVER THE MEDIAN BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH BOUND LANES AT ABOUT 20 TO 30 FEET ABOVE THE HWY. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER LINES (CROSSING HWY 93 EAST TO WEST) AT APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 FEET FROM THE GROUND. AS A RESULT OF THE WIRE STRIKE, THE WR                        ECKAGE WAS SCATTERED FOR ABOUT 200 YARDS IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. THE MAIN PORTION OF THE WRECKAGE APPEARED TO HIT THE GROUND INITIALLY 100 YARDS FROM THE POWER LINES AND CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET WEST OF THE HWY IN A BARBED WIRE FENCE. PART OF THE CROSS TUBE WAS FOUND ABOUT 200 YARDS SOUTH OF THE POWER LINES.

## 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 LAX03FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA054), Dec 23, 2002: Robinson R22 Beta (N888KB), Dolan Springs, AZ, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from power lines. A factor was the pilot's decision to conduct cruise flight at a low altitude.

## Other reports on N888KB (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20000727039819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000727039819A), Jul 27, 2000: Robsin R22BETA (N888KB), Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23)During solo cross country flight student pilot landed in a desert area used as a practice landing site. After touchdown the aircraft remained on the…

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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