# NTSB LAX92LA119: Robinson R-22M, N1107M, Chandler, AZ, February 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1992, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.31995, -111.869407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3199&lon=-111.8694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA119

## Probable cause

THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING THE PROPER DESCENT RATE AND MISJUDGING THE LANDING FLARE WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT PITCHING FORWARD AND ROLLING OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING AN AUTOROTATION TO THE WATER IN A FLOAT EQUIPPED HELICOPTER AS PART OF A SALES DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT.  HE SAID THE HELICOPTER PITCHED FORWARD DURING THE TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF THE AUTOROTATION. THE RIGHT FLOAT WENT UNDER THE WATER AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1107M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1107M-1997-12-09), registration cancelled 1997-12-09, S/N 859M (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22M
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 859M
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph E. Beckett
- Registered owner: Joseph E. Beckett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,467 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19920215006179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920215006179A), Feb 15, 1992: Robsin R22MARINER, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Demonstrating autorotation and landing on a lake. Pitched forward. Right float dug in. Helicopter rolled on its side.

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.