# NTSB LAX92LA315: Robinson R-22B, N2335Q, Carlsbad, CA, July 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1992, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.129688, -117.300354 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1297&lon=-117.3004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA315

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM DURING A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT HE AND HIS COMMERCIALLY RATED DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURES AFTER TAKE OFF.  HE SAID THAT DURING THEIR THIRD PRACTICE ENGINE FAILURE, THE 'HELICOPTER GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND, AND THE (MAIN ROTOR) RPM (HAD) NOT RECOVERED HIGH ENOUGH FOR (CONTINUED) FLIGHT.' THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SAID HE TOOK THE CONTROLS FROM THE STUDENT AND SLID THE HELICOPTER ON TO ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. HE SAID THAT DURING THE LANDING SLIDE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED THE REAR SECTION OF THE TAIL BOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2335Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2335Q-1998-10-26), registration cancelled 1998-10-26, S/N 2154 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2154
- Airframe hours: 149
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Civic Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Civic Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000, 49 hours before
- Departed: CRQ
- Destination: CRQ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,380 total, 650 in this make and model, 8,080 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19920725027679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920725027679A), Jul 25, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. Student allowed rotor RPM decay on practice engine out. CFI slid helicopter onto rough ground. Rotors hit tailboom.

## Other investigations on N2335Q (2)

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 LAX98LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA274), Aug 21, 1998: Robinson R22B (N2335Q), Ramona, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm while practicing autorotations and subsequent hard landing and roll over.
- [NTSB LAX93LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA101), Jan 23, 1993: Robinson R22B (N2335Q), Palomar Mtn, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S INITIAL FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING THE GO AROUND AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT.

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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