# NTSB LAX92LA385: Robinson R22, N4079S, Ojai, CA, September 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1992, 15:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Ojai, CA
- Coordinates: 34.510135, -119.289154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5101&lon=-119.2892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA385
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA385

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE MAIN ROTOR RPM TO CUSHION THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE EXISTING HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - single engine aircraft
  - autorotation - intentional, pilot in command
  - powerplant - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A ROBINSON R22 LANDED HARD AFTER SUSTAINING A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT ELECTED TO PRACTICE AN AUTOROTATION WHILE FLYING AT 5000 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL OR ABOUT 800 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS REPORTED TO BE ABOUT 70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE IN EXCESS OF 6,500 FEET. AFTER APPLYING THE CARBURETOR HEAT AND LOWERING THE COLLECTIVE, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED AND THE ENGINE CEASED TO RUN. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED NORMALLY THROUGHOUT ITS OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4079S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4079S-2003-03-05), registration cancelled 2003-03-05, S/N 1784, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- 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: 1784
- Airframe hours: 1072
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Giffoni, Kim
- Registered owner: Giffoni, Kim
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1992, 94 hours before
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Destination: OXR

## 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: 295 total, 285 in this make and model, 199 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19920914036629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920914036629A), Sep 14, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Ojai, CA, Substantial damage. Reported engine quit during practice autorotation. Landed hard chopping off tailboom.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.