# NTSB LAX02LA243: Robinson R22 Beta, N4074T, Fresno, CA, July 30, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 2002, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.716667, -119.816665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7167&lon=-119.8167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55341 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55341/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55341 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA243 ## Probable cause The failure of the flight instructor to ensure maintenance of an adequate terrain clearance altitude while performing low level maneuvers. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - rough/uneven - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter collided with the uneven ground and rolled over during a quick stop maneuver. After a series of maneuvers, the certified flight instructor (CFI) repositioned the helicopter and entered a quick stop demonstration for the student. He "misjudged the terrain and wind conditions" and the helicopter settled quickly to the ground. During the descent, the CFI raised the collective and the rotor rpm decreased. The helicopter impacted the ground, became airborne, and then impacted the ground a second time. During the impact sequence, the main rotor struck the tail boom. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The accident site and helicopter wreckage were examined by an FAA inspector. He reported observing a series of ground scars and wreckage debris that extended for 195 feet and culminated in the main helicopter wreckage. The first identifiable ground scars consisted of two parallel thin scars in the ground on the crest of a hillock, which were dimensionally consistent with the right and left skids; the scars extended 36 feet and terminated at the edge of a wash. At a distance of 105 feet across the wash, ground scars consistent with the tail rotor and stinger assemblies were noted; the tail rotor gearbox and blade assembly, along with the most aft portion of the tail boom, were found at this point. For the remaining 54 feet uphill to the location of the main wreckage, other ground scars and wreckage debris consistent with the skids were located. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2002, at 0915 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N4074T, collided with the ground and rolled over while practicing quick stop maneuvers near Fresno, California. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial licensed flight instructor and a commercial pilot flight instructor candidate were not injured. The helicopter was operated by Mazzei Flying Service under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The local area instructional flight departed about 0900. In a written statement submitted by the CFI, he reported that after a series of maneuvers, he repositioned the helicopter and entered a quick stop over uneven terrain. He "misjudged the terrain and wind conditions" and the helicopter settled quickly to the ground. During the descent, the CFI raised the collective and the rotor rpm decreased. The helicopter impacted the ground, became airborne, and then impacted the ground a second time. During the impact sequence, the main rotor struck the tail boom. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The accident site and helicopter wreckage were examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. He reported observing a series of ground scars and wreckage debris that extended for 195 feet and culminated in the main helicopter wreckage. The first identifiable ground scars consisted of two parallel thin scars in the ground on the crest of a hillock, which were dimensionally consistent with the right and left skids; the scars extended 36 feet and terminated at the edge of a wash. At a distance of 105 feet across the wash, ground scars consistent with the tail rotor and stinger assemblies were noted; the tail rotor gearbox and blade assembly, along with the most aft portion of the tail boom, were found at this point. For the remaining 54 feet uphill to the location of the main wreckage, other ground scars and wreckage debris consistent with the skids were located. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4074T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4074T), registered now, S/N 1787, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta - 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: 1787 - Airframe hours: 6269 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mazzei Flying Service - Registered owner: Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 2002, 86 hours before - Departed: KFAT, Fresno, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 27, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 1,230 total, 1,120 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 19, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 186 total, 104 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KFAT, 10 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 20020730017239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020730017239A), Jul 30, 2002: Robsin R22BETA, Madera, CA, No damage. (-23) On 07-30-02 at approximately 0915 hours PDT, Mr. Andreas gschwari, a commercial-flight instructor pilot, was acting as pilot in command at the controls… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55341. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465169&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 2, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40202039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF - Photo 1. View of accident scene from north to south. (item 3, .PDF, 666 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40202040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20View%20of%20accident%20scene%20from%20north%20to%20south.-Master.PDF 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.