# NTSB LAX88LA324: Robinson R22-HP, N9077N, Yosemite, CA, September 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1988, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Yosemite, CA
- Coordinates: 37.629962, -119.680122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6300&lon=-119.6801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA324

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING IN HIGH TERRAIN AT 10,000 FT MSL WHEN HE NOTICED HIS AIRSPEED HAD DROPPED TO 0. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED A STRONG TAILWIND AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE PILOT REPORTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE HAD SIMPLY GOTTEN THE HELICOPTER INTO A SITUATION THAT HE COULD NOT RECOVER FROM. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES REPORTED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT INDICATED THE WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 50 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9077N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9077N-1991-04-29), registration cancelled 1991-04-29, S/N 0271 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22-HP
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0271
- Airframe hours: 1886
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Choppers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1987, 126 hours before
- Departed: MAE, MADERA, CA
- Destination: MENDOTA RANCH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 956 total, 381 in this make and model, 956 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 40 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19880919039179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880919039179A), Sep 19, 1988: Robsin R22, Yosemite, CA, Substantial damage. En route high terrain strong tailwind. Airspeed zero. Got into settling with power. Impacted terrain. 50 kt wind.

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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