# NTSB LAX97LA068: Robinson R22 Beta, N8311A, Lakeport, CA, December 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 1996, 16:45 local (Dec 15, 1996, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Lakeport, CA - Coordinates: 39.0396, -122.930831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0396&lon=-122.9308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA068 ## Probable cause inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and his delayed corrective action to the student pilot's abrupt control inputs, thereby allowing the main rotor blades to strike the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: the CFI's lack of instructing experience and the presence of upsloping terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - in ground effect - rotorcraft flight controls - abrupt, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor) - Roll over, other ## Analysis According to the flight instructor (CFI), seconds before the crash, both he and his student were handling the flight controls. The CFI indicated that he had been instructing his student how to hover in ground effect when the student abruptly over controlled. The CFI took the controls from his student a 'little bit too late to correct' the student's control inputs. The main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter rolled over. The CFI further reported that the ground adjacent to the crash site sloped slightly upward, and he had misjudged the location of the horizon. The CFI had been a rotorcraft flight instructor for about 2 weeks. ## Factual narrative On December 14, 1996, at 1645 hours Pacific standard time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N8311A, rolled over upon colliding with the ground during an instructional flight at the Lampson Field, Lakeport, California. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor (CFI) received minor injuries, and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Lakeport at 1545. According to the CFI, seconds prior to the crash both he and his student were handling the flight controls. The CFI indicated that he had been instructing his student how to hover in ground effect when the student abruptly over controlled. The CFI further reported that he took the controls from his student a "little bit too late to correct" the student's over control. The main rotor blades struck the ground and the helicopter rolled over. In the CFI's completed report, he indicated that the level of the ground adjacent to his location sloped slightly upward, and he had misjudged the location of the horizon. The CFI further reported that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the helicopter or the engine. The CFI indicated that his student had about 4 hours of rotorcraft flying experience, and he had been a rotorcraft flight instructor for about 2 weeks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8311A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8311A-2025-10-15), registration cancelled 2025-10-15, S/N 2442, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 BETA - 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: 2442 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Resort Aviation - Registered owner: Smp Limited - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1996, 17 hours before - Departed: 1O2 - Airport: 1O2, Lampson Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 320 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °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 19961214039419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961214039419A), Dec 14, 1996: Robsin R22BETA, Lakeport, CA, Substantial damage. Hovering in ground effect. Student over controlled. CFI late to act. Main rotors hit. Plane rolled over. ## Other investigations on N8311A (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 NYC95FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95FA103), May 9, 1995: Robinson R-22 Beta (N8311A), Toano, VA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot misjudged altitude and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the landing area and collision with water. Contributing factors are inadequate helipad lighting and a dark night light… 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.