# NTSB LAX90LA091: Robinson R-22 Beta, N777FH, Corona, CA, February 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1990, 07:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA091

## Probable cause

HELICOPTER ROLLING OVER IN A DIRT FIELD AFTER THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING AN ENGINE FAIURE AND AUTOROTATION MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT REPORTEDLY HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE ROTOR RPM IN THE GREEN ARC. THE AUTOROTATION IN A DIRT FIELD FOUND THE TOES OF THE SKIDS DIGGING INTO THE GROUND WHICH ROLLED THE AIRCRAFT OVER ONTO ITS SIDE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION NOR DID THE PILOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE IN HIS REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777FH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777FH-1990-08-20), registration cancelled 1990-08-20, S/N 1107 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22 BETA
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1107
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hiser Helicopters

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 581 total, 365 in this make and model, 510 as pilot in command, 266 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °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 19900216002399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900216002399A), Feb 16, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Closed throttle for demo autorotation. Engine quit apparently due carb icing. Nosed up as skids dug in plowed field

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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