# NTSB LAX94LA033: Robinson R22A, N8452Z, Santa Rosa, CA, October 31, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 30, 1993, 19:31 local (Oct 31, 1993, 02:31 UTC) - Place: Santa Rosa, CA - Coordinates: 38.439239, -122.780174 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4392&lon=-122.7802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28586 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28586/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA033 ## Probable cause the separation of the tail rotor due to a collision with a mylar balloon and the subsequent hard landing during an autorotation. A factor in the accident was the dark night lighting conditions which limited the pilot's ability to see and avoid the balloon. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - other (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - Forced landing, descent - emergency - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis According to statements from the pilot, his passenger, and ground witnesses, the pilot was providing helicopter rides to fellow employees at a company halloween party. While overflying the party location, a large mylar party balloon broke free and drifted up in the path of the helicopter. The tail rotor blades struck the balloon and then separated from the helicopter. The pilot initiated an autorotation to a parking lot and touched down hard. Responding sheriff's department officers found fragments of a mylar balloon about 100 feet southeast of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On October 30, 1993, at 1931 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22A helicopter, N8452Z, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing from an autorotation in Santa Rosa, California. The autorotation was precipitated by a loss of the tail rotor following an inflight contact with a mylar balloon. The helicopter was owned and operated by Peregrine Helicopters, Inc., of Santa Rosa, California, and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his one passenger were injured. The flight originated at the Santa Rosa airport on the day of the mishap at about 1900 hours. According to statements from the pilot, his passenger, and ground witnesses, the pilot was providing helicopter rides to fellow employees at a company halloween party. While overflying the party location, a large mylar party balloon broke free and drifted up in the path of the helicopter. The tail rotor blades struck the balloon and then separated from the helicopter. The pilot initiated an autorotation to a parking lot and touched down hard. Responding sheriff's department officers found fragments of a mylar balloon about 100 feet south east of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8452Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8452Z-1999-02-10), registration cancelled 1999-02-10, S/N 0375 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22A - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0375 - Airframe hours: 5174 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Peregrine Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 18, 1993, 70 hours before - Departed: STS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 161 total, 135 in this make and model, 92 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: STS, 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 19931030041249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931030041249A), Oct 30, 1993: Robsin R22ALPHA, Santa Rosa, CA, Substantial damage. While flying over party location. Large mylar balloon broke free. Rose up. Hit tail rotor which then separated. 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.