# NTSB LAX94LA150: Robinson R22B, N2327C, Long Beach, CA, March 4, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1994, 09:32 local (17:32 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.810386, -118.179283 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8104&lon=-118.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA150

## Probable cause

the student pilot's improper use of the collective and tail rotor controls, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - collective - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The instructor said the 5-hour student was practicing hovering operations.  During the accident sequence the student intended to land and, as the skids approached the tops of the 10-inch tall grass, the student believed the helicopter was on the ground.  He then rapidly lowered the collective and relaxed left pedal pressure.  The instructor stated that he tried to intervene on the controls; however, the helicopter touched down right skid first with some lateral motion and the helicopter rolled over.

## Factual narrative

On March 4, 1994, at 0932 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22B helicopter, N2327C, rolled over during landing from a hover at the Long Beach, California, airport.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Everything Flyable, Inc., of Long Beach, and was engaged in dual primary flight training.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage.  Neither the certificated commercial pilot flight instructor nor his dual primary student were injured.  The flight originated at the Long Beach airport on the day of the mishap at 0830 as a local area dual instructional flight.

In a telephone interview, the instructor said the 5-hour student was practicing hovering operations.  During the accident sequence, the student intended to land and, as the skids approached the tops of the 10 inch tall grass, the student believed the helicopter was on the ground.  He then rapidly lowered the collective and relaxed left pedal pressure.  The instructor stated that he tried to intervene on the controls; however, the helicopter touched down right skid first with some lateral motion and the helicopter rolled over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2327C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2327C), registered now, S/N 2020, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22B
- 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: 2020
- Airframe hours: 1894
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Everything Flyable, Inc.
- Registered owner: Everything Flyable, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 2, 1994, 5 hours before
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 630 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB

## 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 19940304003709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940304003709A), Mar 4, 1994: Robsin R22BETA, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Student landing from hover beleived had landed as skids touched tall grass lowered collective. Skid hit. Rolled.

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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