# Accident 20120315004889A: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Palo Alto, CA, March 15, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 15, 2012, 16:45 local time
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.4603° N, 122.1086° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4603&lon=-122.1086&mi=10
- Aircraft: N290SH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N290SH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (registry code 42314, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360-J2A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 740 total, 44 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR12LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA140) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120315004889A

## Narrative

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

DURING AN APPROACH FOR LANDING AT PALO ALTO AIRPORT, RUNWAY 31, THE PILOT WAS CLEARED BY ATCT FOR THE OPTION ON RUNWAY 31.  DIRECTLY AFTER RECEIVING CLEARANCE THE PILOT RADIOED PALO ALTO ATCT THAT N290SH HAD EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO A MARSHY AREA ADJACENT TO PALO ALTO AIRPORT.  THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE IN APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR FEET OF WATER AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE REAR TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY.  THE FRONT PORTION OF THE PASSENGER WINDSHIELD SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.  THE HELICOPTER WAS RECOVERED BY PLANE PARTS OF SACRAMENTO WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF ARIS HELICOPTER PROVIDING LIFT SUPPORT FROM THE MARSH.  THE PILOT WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT AND AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHE RECEIVED MINOR MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WAS RELEASED AT THE SCENE.

## 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 WPR12LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA140), Mar 15, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N290SH), Palo Alto, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of the throttle grip, which resulted in the deactivation of the rpm governor and a loss of rotor rpm.

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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