# NTSB LAX92LA168: Robinson R-22B, N4071J, Carlsbad, CA, April 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1992, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.129039, -117.299919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1290&lon=-117.2999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA168

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, HIS FAILURE TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE IN A TIMELY FASHION, AND THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO PRACTICE AUTOROTATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE SAFETY PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PILOT ENTERED A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING WITH THE INTENTION OF PERFORMING A POWER RECOVERY. HE SAID THE PILOT STARTED A 'FLARE' AT ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. HE FURTHER REPORTED THAT AT ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE HELICOPTER'S DESCENT TO ACCELERATE. THE SAFETY PILOT THEN JOINED THE PILOT IN TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL. HE SAID THE RATE OF DESCENT WAS REDUCED. THE SAFETY PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED ITS DESCENT WITH ONE SKID ON A 'ONE FOOT ROCK BUILT UP AREA.' THE SAFETY PILOT SAID '...THE AIRCRAFT QUICKLY (AND WITHOUT ANY WAY TO RECOVER) TIPPED OVER ON ITS SIDE (LEFT).' THE SAFETY PILOT SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THEY (HE AND THE OTHER PILOT) HAD RECOVERED AT '1-2 FOOT OF HEIGHT' BUT THE RAISED ROCK AREA CAUGHT THE SKID CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLLOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4071J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1443
- Airframe hours: 1604
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Civic Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Civic Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1992, 15 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 158 total, 94 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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