# NTSB LAX92LA087: Robinson R22B, N2634N, Lake Hughes, CA, January 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1992, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Lake Hughes, CA
- Coordinates: 34.689197, -118.519279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6892&lon=-118.5193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27535
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27535/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA087

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WHILE MANEUVERING AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF THE LANDING FLARE.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 77 HOUR NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT SAID HE PERFORMED A RIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN AT ABOUT 500 FEET AGL.  DURING THE TURN THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING HORN AND LIGHT CAME ON. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN ROTOR RPM BY MANIPULATING THE THROTTLE AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION, LANDED HARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2634N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2634N-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 0790, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0795
- Airframe hours: 3680
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Watson Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Marvin Rush
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 6, 1992, 6 hours before
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Destination: WHP, PACOIMA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 77 total, 77 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19920111000429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920111000429A), Jan 11, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Lake Hughes, CA, Substantial damage. Rotor RPM decay after a low level 180 degree turn. Unable recover. Clipped trees on descent. Chopped tail landing.

## Other investigations on N2634N (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 LAX88LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA214), Jun 6, 1988: Robinson R22 (N2634N), Bakersfield, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.