# NTSB LAX00LA079: Robinson R22B, N4072T, Piru, CA, January 22, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 22, 2000, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Piru, CA - Coordinates: 34.429523, -118.750091 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4295&lon=-118.7501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48547 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48547/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA079 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain control after encountering a dynamic rollover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The instructor took his fiance up to introduce her to helicopter operations. After completing training he landed in a riverbed to wait for traffic to clear. After a few minutes he prepared to liftoff. As he lifted off, the right skid stayed in contact with the ground, and the helicopter continued to roll over to the right. ## Factual narrative On January 22, 2000, about 1315 hours Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22B helicopter, N4072T, sustained substantial damage when it rolled over on departure from a dry riverbed near Piru, California. Group 3 Aviation operated the rented helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor and student were not injured. The local instructional flight departed Van Nuys, California, about 1145. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The instructor stated he took his fiance up to introduce her to helicopter operations. After completing training they climbed to altitude to overview the river valley being used as a practice area, then descended back down. They observed an airplane flying low through the valley, so the helicopter landed in the riverbed to wait for the traffic to clear. After a few minutes the instructor prepared to liftoff. As he lifted off, the right skid stayed in contact with the ground and the helicopter continued to roll over to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4072T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4072T-2003-09-19), registration cancelled 2003-09-19, S/N 1747, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22B - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1747 - Airframe hours: 5429 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Group 3 Aviation - Registered owner: Dragon Fly Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 1999, 80 hours before - Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 722 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY, 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 20000122008879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000122008879A), Jan 22, 2000: Robsin R22BETA, Piru, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Following a landing in the sandy river bottom in the Piru practice area (santa clara river near Piru, CA) and during the ensuing lift-off, the pilot,… ## Other investigations on N4072T (2) 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 LAX02LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA213), Jul 2, 2002: Robinson R22 Beta (N4072T), Chatsworth, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate flare resulting in rotor blade contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the high altitude and the airframe vibration for an undetermined reason. - [NTSB LAX93LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA147), Mar 12, 1993: Robinson R-22 Beta (N4072T), Folsom, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING A APPROACH FOR LANDING, IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT, AND A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER MAIN ROTOR RPM. THE STUDENT… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.