# NTSB LAX85FA280: Robinson R22, N8360J, Manhattan Beach, CA, June 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1985, 13:12 local (20:12 UTC)
- Place: Manhattan Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.879894, -118.399223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8799&lon=-118.3992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA280

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS TO FLY IN FORMATION WITH A BANNER TOWED BY AN ACFT 'TO ATTRACT ATTENTION.' NUMEROUS WITNESSES ALONG A 20-MILE STRETCH OF BEACH SAW THE HELICOPTER 'FLYING ERRATICALLY' & 'BUZZING THE BEACH' JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAW THE HELICOPTER PULL UP TO A NEAR HOVER AT 70 FT AGL, PIVOT 270 DEGREES TO FACE THE BEACH THEN DESCEND STRAIGHT DOWN INTO THE WATER. LIFEGUARDS REPORTED THAT THE ONSHORE WINDS WERE 20 TO 25 KNOTS FROM THE REAR OF THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8360J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 305
- Airframe hours: 1489
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rafael Novo
- Registered owner: David A. Mendes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 24, 1985, 61 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 453 total, 319 in this make and model, 329 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX, 5 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 19850616025659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850616025659A), Jun 16, 1985: Robsin R22, Manhattan Beach, CA, Substantial damage. While buzzing the Beach and doing a slow rudder turn, lost rotor rpms and descended into the ocean.

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.

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