- Date
- September 1, 1990, 19:40 local (Sep 2, 1990, 02:40 UTC)
- Place
- Lancaster, CA
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N4019SRobinson R-22
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 12, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19900901037809A
- Case key
- 26913
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff when the aircraft capability was exceeded by weight and density altitude.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The 180 hour certificated private pilot attempted to takeoff over gross weight and at a high density atltitude. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying very erratic, pitching forward and aft and side to side before it landed hard and rolled over. The pilot stated to investigators that he was taking off approximately 100 yards west of the crash site when the RPM light came on and the helicopter began to stall.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4019S
- Reported as
- Robinson R-22
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 1398
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-B2C, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Briles Wing And Helicopter
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 34
- Certificate
- Private
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 180 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 250° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at
- WJF
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.