# NTSB LAX90LA317: Robinson R22A, N85594, Beatty, NV, September 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1990, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Beatty, NV
- Coordinates: 37.090255, -116.789207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0903&lon=-116.7892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA317

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN INADEQUATE CRUISE ALTITUDE AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, RISING TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S DELAYED AND IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - collective - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT PROVIDED HIS PASSENGER WITH A LOW ALTITUDE AERIAL SURVEY OF A RACE CAR ROUTE WHICH INVOLVED FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN BETWEEN 100 AND 150 ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. DURING THE FLIGHT THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN AREA OF RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN, AND THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING HORN SOUNDED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY LOWER THE COLLECTIVE. HE STATED, HOWEVER, THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN ROTOR RPM WHILE MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER IN A LEFT TURN TO REVERSE COURSE. THE PILOT FURTHER INDICATED THAT THE HELICOPTER DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE SLOPING TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER. THE CRASH SITE'S ELEVATION WAS 6,300 FEET MSL. THE CALCULATED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS AT LEAST 9,000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85594](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85594-2003-07-22), registration cancelled 2003-07-22, S/N 0473, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22A
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0473
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helistream, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 562 total, 555 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °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 19900907038659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900907038659A), Sep 7, 1990: Robsin R22, Beatty, NV, Substantial damage. Unable to clear rising terrain,lost rotor RPM trying to turn and dropped to ground. High density altitude a factor.

## Other investigations on N85594 (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 LAX85LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA317), Jul 14, 1985: Robinson R-22A (N85594), Piru, CA, substantial damage

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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