# NTSB LAX90LA199: Robinson R-22B, N649MB, Sacramento, CA, May 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1990, 17:00 local (May 29, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.689735, -121.600646 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6897&lon=-121.6006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA199

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER'S CHECKLIST BY NEGLECTING TO APPLY FULL CARBURETOR HEAT AT LOW POWER SETTINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - anti-ice/deice system - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE INSTRUCTOR AND THE STUDENT WERE MAKING AUTOROTATIONS AND TERMINATING THE DESCENT WITH A POWER RECOVERY. THEY DID NOT APPLY FULL CARBURETOR HEAT AS PRESCRIBED BY THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER. UPON APPLYING RECOVERY POWER THE POWERPLANT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED ITS DESCENT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N649MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N649MB-1994-10-05), registration cancelled 1994-10-05, S/N 0649 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0649
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sacramento Executive Hel. Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: SAC
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 841 total, 841 in this make and model, 770 as pilot in command, 284 in the last 90 days, 103 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: SAC, 10 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 19900528017639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900528017639A), May 28, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. During power recovery from autorotation engine had quit from carburetor ice.

## Other investigations on N649MB (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX92LA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA384), Sep 13, 1992: Robinson R-22 Beta (N649MB), Colfax, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO FLY AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK-OUT. THE CABLE (STATIC WIRE) CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ACCIDENT.

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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