# NTSB LAX92FA410: Robinson R22-B, N8069X, Martinez, CA, September 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1992, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Martinez, CA
- Coordinates: 37.979713, -122.150581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9797&lon=-122.1506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA410
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA410

## Probable cause

AN UNDETERMINED DIVERGENCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION WHICH RESULTED IN ROTOR CONTACT TO THE FUSELAGE AND PASSENGER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT DEPARTED FOR A SHORT HELICOPTER DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT IN CLEAR VFR CONDITIONS.  THREE MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE HELICOPTER WAS OVER-FLYING AN URBAN PARK AREA, ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 MILES WEST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  WITNESSES HEARD POPPING, BANGING, AND THUMPING NOISES.  THE ENGINE THEN QUIT RUNNING.  THE MAIN ROTOR DEPARTED ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION WITH SUFFICIENT RPM TO CONTACT THE RIGHT FRONT PORTION OF THE COCKPIT WINDSHIELD AND STRIKE THE RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER.  MAIN ROTOR RPM THEN IMMEDIATELY DECAYED AND STOPPED. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN OBSERVED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ANGLE OF DESCENT UNTIL IMPACTING THE GROUND.  NO MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE, DRIVE TRAIN, OR FLIGHT CONTROLS WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8069X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8069X-1992-10-27), registration cancelled 1992-10-27, S/N 1364 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22-B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1364
- Airframe hours: 2793
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Helicopter Adventures Inc.
- Registered owner: P. J. Mcclellan Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 25, 1992, 7 hours before
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 234 total, 234 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CCR, 2 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 19920930039319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920930039319A), Sep 30, 1992: Robsin R22, Martinez, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. CFI and prospective student for short demo. Witness heard noises. Engine quit. Rotors flexed. Hit bubble. R22 fell.

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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