# NTSB LAX96LA053: Robinson R22HP, N90452, Fresno, CA, November 24, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1995, 10:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.790637, -119.760017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7906&lon=-119.7600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA053

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain proper control of the helicopter, while in a hover.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, hover - in ground effect
  - aircraft control - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was hovering in an approach to the landing area, when the helicopter began moving backwards and descending. He applied power to arrest the movement, but a skid contacted the ground, and the tail boom then collided with the ground.  There were no mechanical difficulties found with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

On November 24, 1995, at 1050 hours Pacific standard time, a Robinson R-22HP helicopter, N90452, crashed on the landing ramp at the Fresno airport in Fresno, California.  The helicopter received substantial damage and the two occupants were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time.  The aircraft had departed an hour earlier for a local pleasure flight.

According to the operator, at the bottom of the approach to the landing area, the helicopter started backing up.  The heels of the skids caught on the asphalt and the tail rotor hit the ground damaging the aircraft.  The pilot stated in his report that before he put the helicopter on the ground from a hover, it started moving back slowly and descended.  He applied power to stop the slow descent when one of the skids touched the ground.  The helicopter started accelerating backwards and collided with the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90452](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90452-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 0121, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R22HP
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0121
- Airframe hours: 5632
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 14, 1995, 29 hours before
- Departed: FAT
- Airport: FAT, Fresno

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 400 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19951124038619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951124038619A), Nov 24, 1995: Robsin R22HP, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. On hover for landing began backing up. Skid heels caught on asphalt. Tail rotor hit ground. Had applied power.

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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