# NTSB LAX93LA073: Robinson R-22B, N2338M, Long Beach, CA, December 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1992, 09:44 local (17:44 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.819602, -118.11026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8196&lon=-118.1103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA073

## Probable cause

A FAILURE OF THE DUAL STUDENT (SECOND PILOT) TO PROPERLY PERFORM THE TOUCH DOWN, AND PROPERLY ASSESS THE TERRAIN AT THE POINT OF TOUCH DOWN, OF AN INTENTIONAL AUTOROTATION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (FIRST PILOT) TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE TOUCH DOWN AT THE TERMINATION OF THE AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft
  - autorotation - performed, dual student
  - touchdown - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CERTIFICATED HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (FIRST PILOT) WAS PROVIDING PROFICIENCY TRAINING TO ANOTHER HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (SECOND PILOT) WHO WAS OCCUPYING THE LEFT SEAT OF THE HELICOPTER.  THE FIRST PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION WITH A PLANNED FULL TOUCH DOWN TO A GRASS COVERED AREA ADJACENT TO A RUNWAY.  THE FIRST PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SECOND PILOT WAS ON THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.  AFTER TOUCH DOWN, THE HELICOPTER SLID ABOUT 10 FEET.  THE LANDING SKID DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.  THE FAA AND SECOND PILOT REPORTED THAT BOTH PILOTS WERE ON THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2338M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2338M-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 2150, built 1992 (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: 2150
- Airframe hours: 629
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Csr Aviation
- Registered owner: Manhattan Banker Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 1992, 98 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,800 total, 700 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 1 nm away

## 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 19921223051789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921223051789A), Dec 23, 1992: Robsin R22, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. During practice auto rotation and run on landing a skid dug into sod. Helicopter rolled over.

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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