# NTSB LAX90LA076: Robinson R22B, N8013K, Parlier, CA, January 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1990, 21:20 local (Jan 22, 1990, 05:20 UTC)
- Place: Parlier, CA
- Coordinates: 36.619441, -119.509132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6194&lon=-119.5091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA076

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FLIGHT INTO THE KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND HIS INADVERTENT DESCENT TO THE GROUND. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FOG CONDITION AND SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT OBTAINED THE WX CONDITIONS AT THE PRIVATELY OWNED HELIPAD BEFORE DEPG ON THE ACDNT FLT. WHILE EN ROUTE TO THE HELIPAD, HE OBSERVED GROUND FOG IN THE AREA. THE GND FOG BECAME SO DENSE THAT HE OVERFLEW THE HELIPAD AND ENTERED THE FOG. WHILE LOOKING FOR A VISUAL REFERENCE, THE HELICOPTER'S DESCENT RATE INCREASED. BEFORE THE PLT COULD ARREST THE DESCENT, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8013K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8013K-1990-12-12), registration cancelled 1990-12-12, S/N 0968 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0968
- Airframe hours: 296
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Hose
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 3, 1989, 44 hours before
- Departed: CHOWCHILLA, CA
- Airport: 032, Reedly

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 393 total, 153 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19900121000999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900121000999A), Jan 21, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Reedley, CA, Destroyed. Tried to find helipad,dark night in fog. Descended. Collided with ground.

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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