# NTSB LAX88LA037: Robinson R-22, N123PL, San Luis Obispo, CA, November 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1987, 16:00 local (Nov 8, 1987, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Coordinates: 35.249435, -120.62078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2494&lon=-120.6208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A ROBINSON R22 LANDED HARD WHILE ON A VFR BUSINESS FLIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LANDED HARD DURING A DOWNWIND APPROACH TO A LANDING SITE. HE EXAMINED THE HELICOPTER AND NOTICED THE AFT LANDING GEAR CROSS TUBE WAS BENT. HE FELT THE HELICOPTER WAS AIRWORTHY AND FLEW IT BACK TO THE AIRPORT. FURTHER EXAMINATION BY AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC REVEALED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER'S AIRFRAME STRUCTURE AND TAILBOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123PL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123PL-1988-03-16), registration cancelled 1988-03-16, S/N 0057 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 057
- Airframe hours: 1888
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Silverado Flight Service
- Registered owner: Gerald J. Schlesinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 29, 1987, 80 hours before
- Departed: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,196 total, 110 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBP, 7 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 19871107063069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871107063069A), Nov 7, 1987: Robsin R22, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. Made hard landing. Noted bent cross tube. Flew back to base. Then found airframe and tailboom substantially damaged

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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