# NTSB FTW87LA002: Robinson R22, N90455, Minden, LA, October 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1986, 22:50 local (Oct 5, 1986, 03:50 UTC)
- Place: Minden, LA
- Coordinates: 32.61037, -93.279472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6104&lon=-93.2795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA002

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - descent - initiated
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT ENTERED IMC CONDITIONS WHILE IN CRUISE FLT ON A DARK NIGHT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 500 FT. HE THEN ENTERED A DESCENT TO REACH VMC. DURING THE DESCENT, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A TREE AT APRX 75 TO 100 FEET AGL,THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90455 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0123
- Airframe hours: 772
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bone & Joint Clinic
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 28, 1986, 45 hours before
- Departed: RSN, RUSTON, LA
- Destination: SHV, SHREVEPORT, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 866 total, 359 in this make and model, 831 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHV, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19861004047779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861004047779A), Oct 4, 1986: Robsin R22, Minden, LA, Substantial damage. Helicopter struck trees during low level operation to avoid IFR conditions.VFR pilot did not receive weather brief.

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.

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