# NTSB LAX00LA129: Robinson R22B, N7078B, San Diego, CA, March 11, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 11, 2000, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.799907, -117.130249 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7999&lon=-117.1302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48838/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an inadequate takeoff area which precluded his ability to remain in ground effect until entering translational lift and resulted in his failure to maintain main rotor rpm. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - translational lift - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, landing - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis The pilot landed the helicopter in the parking lot where his business was located to drop off a passenger and complete some business. After completing his business he elected to takeoff in a northerly direction along the west side of the building toward a parked van. This placed him a position to depart without a clear takeoff flight path, effectively eliminating his ability to remain in ground effect until entering translational lift. The pilot lifted to a hover, took off, and started his departure to the north. About 50 feet along the takeoff path, at an altitude of approximately 16 feet agl, the pilot noted a decrease in rotor rpm. He realized he would not be able to complete his planned departure and elected to execute a forced landing into the parking lot. He set the helicopter down in the parking lot as he veered to the right to avoid hitting the van. The tail rotor came into contact with the office window, breaking the window, and severely damaging the tail rotor and the tail rotor gearbox. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 2000, about 1400 hours Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22B, N7078B, impacted the window of a commercial building in San Diego, California, during an attempted takeoff from a parking lot. The helicopter, operated by Smiley's Helicopters, Oceanside, California, and rented by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and nonrated passenger were not injured. The personal flight, conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, was originating at the time of the accident with a planned destination of Oceanside. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the San Diego Flight Standards District Office examined the accident site and interviewed the pilot. In a statement to the FAA, the pilot reported that he had landed the helicopter in the parking lot where his business was located in order to drop off his passenger and to complete some business. The parking lot on the south side of the building was empty and he flew an approach to the parking lot from east to west and landed. He then shutdown the helicopter and went into his office. The pilot stated that he had a different passenger for the return trip. The pilot elected to takeoff in a northerly direction along the west side of the building. The north end of the parking lot was empty, except for a van parked at the end. The FAA inspector stated this placed the pilot in a position from which he would not have a clear, unobstructed takeoff path, effectively eliminating his ability to remain in ground effect until entering translational lift. The pilot lifted to a hover, took off, and started his departure to the north. About 50 feet along the takeoff path, at an altitude of approximately 16 feet agl, the pilot noted the rotor rpm was low due to the sound of the low rotor rpm warning horn, and elected to execute a forced landing in the parking lot. As he set the helicopter down in the parking lot he veered to the right to avoid hitting the van, and the helicopter came to rest facing in a westerly direction. The tail rotor contacted the office window closest to the helicopter, breaking the window, destroying the tail rotor, and damaging the 90-degree tail rotor gearbox. The operator did not provide a pilot/operator accident report on NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7078B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7078B-2003-01-06), registration cancelled 2003-01-06, S/N 3046, built 2000 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3046 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Smiley'S Helicopters - Registered owner: Robinson Helicopter Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: OKB, OCEANSIDE, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 270 total, 200 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SAN ## 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 20000311038699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000311038699A), Mar 11, 2000: Robsin R22BETA, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 11, 2000, at 1400 hrs. PST, N7078B, a Robinson R22B, helicopter, was conducting off-airport FAR part 91 flight operations. The pilot had landed… 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.