- Date
- July 4, 1992, 17:30 local (Jul 5, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place
- Barstow, CA
- Injuries
- 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N2321RRobinson R-22B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 28, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920704023759A
- Case key
- 27676
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
1) The pilot's maneuvering at low altitude into a tailwind condition which exceeded the performance capabilities of the helicopter, 2) his failure to maintain proper main rotor RPM, and 3) the pilot's selection of an altitude for the maneuvers which was too low to allow for remedial action.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The helicopter was engaged in filming an off road vehicle race for a major sports television network. The pilot said he was following the race cars on the course and made a low altitude turn into a tailwind he later discovered was 20 knots or greater. The helicopter lost main rotor RPM, descended into a hillside and rolled over. According to the limitations section of the Robinson R22B POH, the maximum demonstrated tailwind component capability is 17 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2321R
- Reported as
- Robinson R-22B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2027
- Airframe hours
- 119
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-B2C, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Helicopter Services Of Nevada
- Registered owner
- Los Arcos Equipment Company
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · May 20, 1992 · 16 hours before
- Departed
- NONE
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 30
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 1,242 total · 1,163 in this make and model · 1,089 as pilot in command · 209 in the last 90 days · 53 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 20 knots
- Visibility
- 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 100 °F, dew point 43 °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.