# NTSB LAX90LA227: Robinson R22A, N84378, Pinon Hills, CA, June 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1990, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Pinon Hills, CA
- Coordinates: 34.470157, -117.620132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4702&lon=-117.6201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA227

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED 200-POUND PILOT AND HIS 190-POUND PASSENGER LANDED WITHOUT DIFFICULTY AT A 4000-FOOT MSL SITE. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 92 DEGREES F, THE PILOT AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. THE HELICOPTER CLIMBED 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND THEN LOST ROTOR RPM. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE COMPUTED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6950 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84378](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84378-1998-08-07), registration cancelled 1998-08-07, S/N 0370 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22A
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 370
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sundance Helicopters, Inc.
- Destination: WJF, LANCASTER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 165 total, 123 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 19900623022099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900623022099A), Jun 23, 1990: Robsin R22, Pinion Hills, CA, Substantial damage. Low rotor RPM on takeoff. Settled into trees. Hot humid day and gross weight negated flight out of ground effect.

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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