# NTSB LAX04CA193: Robinson R22B, N8492A, Long Beach, CA, April 22, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 22, 2004, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.817501, -118.15139 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8175&lon=-118.1514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59105 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59105/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA193 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions and failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Roll over, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The helicopter collided with terrain and rolled over while hovering. While practicing pedal turns on the designated helicopter pads at the airport, the helicopter encountered gusty winds. The pilot lost control of the helicopter, and it impacted the ground, coming to rest on its left side. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. The wind conditions reported by the Long Beach Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at 1627 were 300 degree at 16 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2004, about 1640 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22B, N8492A, collided with terrain and rolled over while hovering at the Long Beach Airport, California. Pacific Coast Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, who was a certified flight instructor, received minor injuries, and the one passenger was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed from the Long Beach about 1540. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was practicing pedal turns on the designated helicopter pads at the airport. After several uneventful turns, he maneuvered the helicopter into a hover about 5 feet above ground level (agl), facing in a westerly direction, which was conducive to headwind conditions. He applied pressure to the left pedal, in an effort to complete a left pedal turn. The helicopter rapidly turned to the left, and the pilot felt a strong wind from the right. After turning about 90 degrees, the pilot attempted to stop the left yaw by applying right pedal. The pilot lost control of the helicopter as it continued the left turn another 360 degrees. The helicopter impacted the pad, and came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. The wind conditions reported by the Long Beach Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at 1627, were 300 degrees at 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8492A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8492A-2012-08-21), registration cancelled 2012-08-21, S/N 1824, 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: 1824 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pacific Coast Helicopter - Registered owner: Yha, LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach Airport (Daugherty ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 224 total, 216 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040422006429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040422006429A), Apr 22, 2004: Robsin R22BETA, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 22, 2004, at 1621 PDT, Robinson, R-22 beta, N8492A, was hovering on pad #1 at lgb airport facing approximately 270 degrees. The winds at the… ## Other investigations on N8492A (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 LAX01LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA125), Mar 21, 2001: Robinson R22B (N8492A), Long Beach, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the CFI to adequately monitor the flight, which resulted in a low airspeed autorotation and hard landing. 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.