# NTSB LAX92LA076: Robinson R-22B, N889KT, Lodi, CA, January 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1992, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Lodi, CA
- Coordinates: 38.189186, -121.249748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1892&lon=-121.2497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA076

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL AND DELAY IN FLARING THE HELICOPTER FOR AN AUTOROTATIVE TOUCHDOWN. CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND THE SOFT TERRAIN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG THE AIRCRAFT'S FLIGHT ROUTE WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.  THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUROTATIVE DESCENT WITHOUT APPLYING FULL CARBURETOR HEAT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER. THE ENGINE FAILED DURING THE DESCENT AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE.  THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED MOST OF HIS FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN TURBINE POWERED HELICOPTERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N889KT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N889KT-1993-01-25), registration cancelled 1993-01-25, S/N 1158 (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: 1158
- Airframe hours: 1808
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mr. & Mrs. William C. Moore
- Registered owner: Mr. & Mrs. William C. Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 1991, 3 hours before
- Departed: SCK, STOCKTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; military, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 740 total, 54 in this make and model, 364 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 13 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 19920101000019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920101000019A), Jan 1, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Lodi, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on autorotation demo. Landed hard in plowed field and rolled. Did not use full carb heat per manual.

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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