# NTSB LAX03FA054: Robinson R22 Beta, N888KB, Dolan Springs, AZ, December 23, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 23, 2002, 11:37 local (18:37 UTC) - Place: Dolan Springs, AZ - Coordinates: 35.5, -114.5 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5000&lon=-114.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03FA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56238/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56238 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA054 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from power lines. A factor was the pilot's decision to conduct cruise flight at a low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - object - wire,transmission - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter collided with power transmission lines while flying low over a highway and impacted desert terrain. Several witnesses stated that they observed the helicopter flying over the highway at a very low altitude and saw the helicopter's skids impacted power lines running perpendicular to the highway. The helicopter then rolled on it's side and fell to the ground. The helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on the side of the road. Wires/cables in the area are required to be a minimum of 30 feet above ground level. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 23, 2002, at 1137 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N888KB, collided with power transmission lines and impacted desert terrain near Dolan Springs, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight originated from McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, at an unknown time. In an interview with a first-responding Sheriff's Deputy, a witness reported that he was in his automobile traveling southbound on the highway I-93. About 30 miles from Kingman, Arizona, a helicopter passed over the car in a southerly direction and he noted that it appeared to be cruising at a low altitude. When the helicopter was about ¼ mile in front of him, he saw the helicopter skids catch the power lines that ran across the highway. The helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on the side of the road. Several other witnesses stated that they observed the helicopter flying over the highway at a very low altitude. The helicopter's skids impacted power lines running perpendicular to the highway. One witness recalled that after making contact with the power lines the helicopter plummeted toward terrain and rolled. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot's logbooks were not located. Review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Certification records disclosed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and rotorcraft-helicopter. Review of the FAA Medical Certification records revealed that the pilot held a third-class medical issued on August 04, 2000, with a limitation to wear glasses for near vision. At that time he reported his total flight time as 500 hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The helicopter airframe, engine, and maintenance logbooks were not located. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Kingman Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy on the pilot; the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed a toxicological analysis. The results of the toxicological analysis were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol and drugs. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In a telephone conversation with a Safety Board investigator, a power company lineman, reported that the wires/cables in the area are required to be a minimum of 30 feet above ground level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888KB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888KB-2013-05-20), registration cancelled 2013-05-20, S/N 3072, built 2000 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3072 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 Series 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Headstart Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAS, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: PHX, Phoenix, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: IGM, 30 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 20021223034439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021223034439A), Dec 23, 2002: Robsin R22BETA, Dolansprings, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (.19) On December 23, 2002, at 1137 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22 beta, N888KB, collided with power lines and impacted desert terrain near dolan… ## Other investigations on N888KB (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 LAX00LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA279), Jul 27, 2000: Robinson R-22 Beta (N888KB), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The helicopter had a tail rotor failure. The reason for the failure is undetermined. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56238. 342 KB in all. - Excerpt of Local Police Report (item 1, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40218769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20of%20Local%20Police%20Report-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40218770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-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.