# NTSB LAX92LA162: Robinson R22B, N504RS, Simi Valley, CA, April 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1992, 16:45 local (Apr 3, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Simi Valley, CA
- Location: 34.2694° N, 118.7815° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Simi Valley, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2694&lon=-118.7815&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA162

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S DELAYED FLARE FROM THE AUTOROTATION LANDING.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE SOFT NATURE OF THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - intentional, pilot in command(cfi)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT HE DELAYED THE FLARE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO PROPERLY TOUCH DOWN FROM THE AUTOROTATION LANDING HE WAS DEMONSTRATING TO HIS STUDENT.  HE SAID ONE SKID 'DUG INTO SOFT GROUND,' CONTROL WAS LOST, AND THE HELICOPTER DYNAMICALLY ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N504RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N504RS-2003-07-18), registration cancelled 2003-07-18, S/N 1504, built 1990 (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: 1504
- Airframe hours: 1037
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Santa Monica Helicopters
- Registered owner: Sherman, Randolph
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1992, 39 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 953 total, 847 in this make and model, 933 as pilot in command, 282 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920402010469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920402010469A), Apr 2, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Simi Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Demostrating a autorotation landing for student. Flared too late. Dug in a skid and rolled over.

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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