# NTSB LAX94LA307: Robinson R-22B, N701SH, Agua Dulce, CA, August 6, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 1994, 12:57 local (19:57 UTC) - Place: Agua Dulce, CA - Coordinates: 34.429515, -118.510871 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4295&lon=-118.5109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28817 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28817/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA307 ## Probable cause the pilot's poorly planned approach and improper remedial action. Factors relating to this accident were the high density altitude and prevailing tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN APPROACH TO LAND FROM THE WEST IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT TOLD SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES THAT AT 100 FEET HE FELT HE WAS SETTLING-WITH-POWER. HE ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER, BUT AT 10 FEET HE REALIZED HE DID NOT HAVE POWER AVAILABLE. THE HELICOPTER SETTLED TO THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER. RESPONDING SHERIFF'S HELICOPTER PILOTS ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS FROM THE WEST BETWEEN 15 AND 20 KNOTS AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED AT 6,100 FEET MSL. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 1994, at 1257 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22B helicopter, N701SH, collided with level terrain following a loss of control during a landing approach near Agua Dulce, California. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight. The helicopter, operated by Group 3 Aviation, Van Nuys, California, was destroyed by impact forces; there was no fire. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated at Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California, at 1230 hours. The accident location was an open field behind a house. The pilot intended to land in the field to visit occupants of the house. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies assigned to the aero bureau responded to the scene. The deputies interview two witnesses who were awaiting the helicopter's arrival. The witnesses told the deputies that they observed the helicopter approaching from the west (traveling east). One witness stated that, as it was approaching, the helicopter's descent appeared to stop momentarily and then increase. The witnesses stated that the helicopter dropped to the ground from 10 feet and rolled over. The pilot told the deputies that everything was normal until the last 100 feet. The pilot said he felt like he was settling with power. At 10 feet, he did not have power available and collided with the ground. The pilot reported in a written statement that the winds were out of the west at 2 knots and the temperature was 90 degrees. He stated that he was caught in a downdraft while on final approach. The pilot also said that the helicopter did not experience any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. The deputies reported that the prevailing temperature was 100 degrees, the surface winds were from the west between 15 and 20 knots, and the crash site elevation was 3,200 feet mean sea level (msl). The deputies also reported that the density altitude was estimated at 6,100 feet msl. According to the Robinson Operator's Handbook, Performance Specifications section, the helicopter can hover out of ground effect at 105 degrees and 3,200 feet msl at its maximum gross weight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Basic Helicopter Handbook states the following: "In recovering from a settling-with-power condition, the tendency on the part of the pilot to first try to stop the descent by increasing collective pitch will result in increasing the stalled area of the rotor and increasing the rate of descent. Recovery can be accomplished by increasing forward speed, and/or partially lowering collective pitch." The manufacturer's representative defined settling-with-power as a vortex ring state. The recovery from a vortex ring state would require a minimum of 100 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N701SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N701SH-1995-01-28), registration cancelled 1995-01-28, S/N 1701 (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) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1701 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter Lowry, doing business as Group 3 Aviation - Registered owner: John Daniels - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 20, 1994 - Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 601 total, 101 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °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 19940806020569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940806020569A), Aug 6, 1994: Robsin R22BETA, Agua Dulce, CA, Destroyed. On approach to landing zone began settling with power tried to recover by hovering. Unable due density altitude. 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.