# NTSB LAX92LA229: Robinson R-22B, N2301C, Las Vegas, NV, June 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1992, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.159809, -115.43077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1598&lon=-115.4308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA229

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A SUDDEN AND STRONG TAIL WIND COMPONENT DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT WHICH WAS BEYOND THE CAPABILITY OF THE HELICOPTER.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CONFINED NATURE OF THE HELIPAD WITH HIGH OBSTACLES AND POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,helipad - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,helipad - congested (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO STATEMENTS FROM THE PILOT AND TWO GROUND WITNESSES, THE HELICOPTER WAS DEPARTING FROM A PRIVATE HELIPAD AND DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB A SUDDEN 30 KNOT TAIL WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE AND THE PILOT HAD TO USE THE REMAINING COLLECTIVE ENERGY TO BALLOON OVER A SET OF POWER LINES. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER. THE HELIPAD IS SURROUNDED ON THREE SIDES BY TALL TREES AND BUILDINGS, AND, TAKEOFFS MUST BE MADE TO THE EAST. BEFORE THE TAKEOFF BEGAN, THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE FROM THE EAST AT ABOUT 5 KNOTS. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE WINDS SHIFTED FROM A HEAD WIND TO A TAIL WIND AND A 30 KNOT GUST AROSE. THE PILOT SUSPECTED THAT A MICROBURST HAD OCCURRED. TWO GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF WITH A LIGHT HEAD WIND AND AS IT BEGAN TO CLIMB A VERY STRONG GUST OF WIND CAME FROM BEHIND THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2301C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2301C-2002-06-17), registration cancelled 2002-06-17, S/N 1926, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B
- 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: 1926
- Airframe hours: 1014
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fredrick G. Cleeves
- Registered owner: Helicopter Services Of Nevada
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 14, 1992, 27 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: Private Helipad

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,686 total, 1,542 in this make and model, 2,590 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °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 19920602018039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920602018039A), Jun 2, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Wind shift on departing helipad. Lost rotor RPM clearing trees as descent started due lost lift. Hard impact.

## Other investigations on N2301C (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 FTW00LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA014), Oct 21, 1999: Robinson R22 Beta (N2301C), Jonesboro, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's delay in taking remedial action to recover from a low rotor rpm situation. A factor was the student's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm.

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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