# NTSB LAX91LA026: Robinson R-22B, N26610, Paso Robles, CA, November 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1990, 14:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Paso Robles, CA
- Coordinates: 35.610786, -120.759658 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6108&lon=-120.7597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27056
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27056/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN TAKING APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FLIGHT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A TAILWIND DURING THE TERMINATION PHASE OF THE AUTO ROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT HE WAS DEMONSTRATING 180 DEGREE AUTO ROTATIONS TO HIS STUDENT. HE STATED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER NEARED THE GROUND HE 'ENCOUNTERED A TAILWIND NEAR THE SURFACE AND WAS IN A SETTLING WITH POWER CONDITION.' THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT PRIOR TO GROUND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26610](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26610-1992-08-25), registration cancelled 1992-08-25, S/N 0857 (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: 0857
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kyodo Air
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: PRB
- Destination: PRB

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,431 total, 1,390 in this make and model, 1,368 as pilot in command, 271 in the last 90 days, 129 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19901110049699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901110049699A), Nov 10, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Paso Robles, CA, Substantial damage. Encountered settling with power on practice 180 autorotations. Too low to recover. Blamed wind shift to tailwind.

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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