# NTSB LAX95LA312: Robinson R-22, N8373J, El Monte, CA, August 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 1995, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: El Monte, CA - Location: 34.0746° N, 118.0291° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Monte, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0746&lon=-118.0291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29201 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29201/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA312 ## Probable cause the student's improper use of the cyclic control; the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight; and the flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance distance in selection of a practice slope landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause) - terrain condition - congested/confined area - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - object - fence post - rotor system,main rotor - blade strike - Roll over, takeoff ## Analysis THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SAID THE 50-HOUR STUDENT PERFORMED A SLOPE LANDING IN A FLOOD CONTROL DAM AREA USED FOR PRACTICE LANDINGS. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE STUDENT LIFTED THE LOW SKID WITH CYCLIC; HOWEVER, CONTINUED TO APPLY THE CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO ROLL BEYOND LEVEL. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY CORRECTIVE CONTROL INPUTS BUT THE STUDENT OVERPOWERED HER. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A 4-FOOT-TALL STEEL POST. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED OVER. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 1995, at 1000 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N8373J, rolled over during takeoff from a field near El Monte, California. The helicopter was operated by California Helitec of La Verne, California, and was engaged in a dual instructional flight at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm winds. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated commercial pilot/flight instructor nor her dual primary student were injured. The flight originated at the Pomona Airport, La Verne, California, on the day of the accident at 0900. In the pilot/operator accident report, the flight instructor said the 50-hour student performed a slope landing in a flood control dam area used for practice landings. During the takeoff, the student lifted the low skid with cyclic; however, continued to apply the control and the helicopter started to roll beyond level. The instructor stated that she attempted to apply corrective control inputs but the student overpowered her. The helicopter continued to roll until the main rotor struck a 4-foot-tall steel post. The helicopter then rolled over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8373J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8373J-2003-08-08), registration cancelled 2003-08-08, S/N 0318 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0318 - Airframe hours: 8592 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: California Helitec - Registered owner: Martin Mayerfeld - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 10, 1995, 66 hours before - Departed: POC, LA VERNE, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EMT, 6 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 19950829026829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950829026829A), Aug 29, 1995: Robsin R22, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. Practice slope landing. Student lifted low skid and en countered. Dynamic rollover. CFI unable to recover. ## Other investigations on N8373J (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW83FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA143), Mar 8, 1983: Robinson R22 (N8373J), Grand Prairie, TX, substantial damage 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.