# NTSB LAX92LA165: Robinson R22B, N40433, Palm Springs, CA, April 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1992, 13:13 local (20:13 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.850505, -116.560554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8505&lon=-116.5606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27591/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA165

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER CRUISE ALTITUDE UPON ENTERING A MOUNTAIN PASS AREA, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL WERE RELATED TO HIS ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - proper descent rate - not attained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT INDICATED THAT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE HE HAD RECEIVED A FULL WEATHER BRIEFING AND NO SIGNIFICANT WEATHER WAS FORECAST FOR HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL.  HOWEVER, WHEN THE PILOT ENTERED A MOUNTAIN PASS AREA AT HIS CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 500 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE WINDS BECAME VERY STRONG AND HE EXPERIENCED SEVERE TURBULENCE.  THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN INTO THE WIND FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  WHILE MANEUVERING HE LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 3,000 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40433](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40433-1994-10-05), registration cancelled 1994-10-05, S/N 1639 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1639
- Airframe hours: 1707
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Csr Aviation
- Registered owner: Csr Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 9, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 600 total, 90 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19920405008879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920405008879A), Apr 5, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Encountered severe unforecast turbulence in a mountain pass. Tried to land but was blown backwards into a hill.

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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