# NTSB LAX94LA016: Robinson R-22 Beta, N192KC, Sunland, CA, October 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1993, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Sunland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.259456, -118.320281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2595&lon=-118.3203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA016

## Probable cause

the CFI's poor inflight planning/decision and failure to follow normal procedures.  The tailwind was a factor in this accident.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE CFI WAS DEMONSTRATING A PINNACLE APPROACH TO A LANDING ON A MOUNTAIN TOP.  THE CFI DID NOT PERFORM A HIGH RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPROACH.  DURING THE APPROACH, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A TAILWIND AND THE CFI APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS.  THE HELICOPTER'S DESCENT RATE INCREASED RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. THE SURFACE WINDS TURNED THE HELICOPTER RENDERING IT UNCONTROLLABLE AND IT SLID DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.

## Factual narrative

On October 18, 1993, at 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N192KC, landed short of a mountain top while demonstrating a mountain top landing at Mount Haines, Angeles National Forest, about 10 miles north of Sunland, California. The pilots were conducting a local visual flight rules instructional flight.  The helicopter, operated by Complete Aviation Services, Burbank, California, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated airline transport pilot/certified flight instructor and the non-certificated student pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated at Burbank Airport, Burbank, California, at about 1230 hours.

The pilot stated that during the approach to the mountain top he encountered a wind shear condition which caused him to land short of the mountain top.  After landing, the helicopter rolled over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N192KC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N192KC-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 1987, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22 BETA
- 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: 1987
- Airframe hours: 1450
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Complete Aviation Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1993, 50 hours before
- Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,800 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °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 19931018039729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931018039729A), Oct 18, 1993: Robsin R22BETA, Sunland, CA, Substantial damage. Demo of pinnicle landing. Encountered windshear. Landed short of mountain top. 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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