- Date
- May 25, 1993, 19:20 local (May 26, 1993, 02:20 UTC)
- Place
- Pacoima, CA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Taxi
- Aircraft
- N2312NRobinson R-22
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 30, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930525015159A
- Case key
- 28390
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
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control, his improper use of the throttle and antitorgue pedals. A factor related to this accident was the student's lack of total experience.
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 student pilot reported that the engine RPM was getting high during aerial taxi. Witnesses observed the helicopter swinging and yawing down the taxiway. The student unsuccessfully attempted to put the helicopter into forward flight before the tail rotor struck the ground. The student pilot does not recall using the rudder to arrest the yaw.
Factual narrative
On May 25, 1993 at 1920 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N2312N, collided with a fence shortly after lifting off the operator's ramp area at Whiteman Airpark (WHP), Pacoima, California. The noncertificated student pilot was beginning a local area visual flight rules solo flight. The helicopter, operated by Watson Helicopters, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The operator reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the instructor had previously flown with the student pilot at the practice area. During the instruction period, the student performed several takeoffs and landings. The flight then returned to Whiteman Airpark.
The instructor de-planed the helicopter and informed the student to make a vertical takeoff to hover, then hover over the fence and land on the end of the taxiway. The instructor observed the student make a good takeoff and hover and then walked into the building. When the student did not return to the building, the instructor walked outside and found the crash site.
The student recalls the engine "RPM getting high". Witnesses observed the helicopter "swinging and yawing" prior to the tail rotor striking the ground. The student unsuccessfully tried to transition into forward flight but does not remember using the anti-torque controls to correct for the yawing effects.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2312N
- Reported as
- Robinson R-22
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2018
- Airframe hours
- 1,112
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-B2C, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Watson Helicopters
- Registered owner
- Marvin Rush
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · May 17, 1993 · 14 hours before
- Airport
- WHP · Whiteman Airport
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
- 37
- Certificate
- Student
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 28 total · 28 in this make and model · 2 as pilot in command · 28 in the last 90 days · 12 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 72 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N2312N · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.