# NTSB LAX89FA092: Robinson R22A, N8529C, Santa Barbara, CA, January 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1989, 10:26 local (18:26 UTC)
- Place: Santa Barbara, CA
- Coordinates: 34.450214, -119.79988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4502&lon=-119.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA092

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE, PROPER AIRSPEED FOR THE REDUCED VISIBILITY, AND AN ADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH POWER TRANSMISSION CABLE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED THE ARPT WITH VIS OF 4 MILES IN FOG. APPROACH CONTROL RADAR WAS OBSERVING THE HELICOPTER'S PROGRESS AND NOTED A 180 TURN WITH A DESCENT. THE ATCT ASKED THE PLT HIS INTENTIONS. THE PLT STATED HE PLANNED TO FOLLOW A HWY 2/10 OF A MILE NORTH OF THE APRT. WITNESSES IN ACCIDENT AREA DESCRIBED THE WEATHER AS SUNNY WITH COASTAL FOG. THE 1300 LB HELICOPTER STRUCK A 30,000 LB. TENSILE STRENGTH CABLE SEVERING IT. THE CABLE WAS SUSPENDED ACROSS A VALLEY IN MOUNTAINOUS-HILLY TERRAIN. IT WAS 294 FEET ABOVE THE CREEK AT THE HIGHEST POINT. 14 CFR PART 91.105, ALLOWS THE PLT TO OPERATE A HELICOPTER WHEN THE VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN ONE MILE 'IF OPERATED AT A SPEED THAT ALLOWS THE PILOT ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE ANY AIR TRAFFIC OR OBSTRUCTION IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8529C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8529C-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 0432, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22A
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 432
- Airframe hours: 780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Enchanted Kingdom Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 16, 1989
- Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 273 total, 120 in this make and model, 168 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft broken
- Observed at: SBA, 4 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 19890122000979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890122000979A), Jan 22, 1989: Robsin R22ALPHA, Santa Barbara, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck a powerline and crashed on a commercial sightseeing flight. Low scattered to broken clouds and fog in area.

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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