# NTSB LAX92LA280: Robinson R-22B, N2321R, Barstow, CA, July 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1992, 17:30 local (Jul 5, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Barstow, CA
- Location: 34.8986° N, 117.0228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Barstow, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8986&lon=-117.0228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA280

## 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

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - weather condition - high wind
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2321R-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 2027, 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: 2027
- Airframe hours: 119
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920704023759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920704023759A), Jul 4, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Barstow, CA, Substantial damage. While filming road race turned downwind low altitude. Lost rotor RPM descended into hill. Tailwind speed a factor.

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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