# NTSB LAX97LA178: Robinson R-22, N83795, Santa Margarita, CA, May 12, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1997, 18:30 local (May 12, 1997, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Santa Margarita, CA - Coordinates: 35.30986, -120.270179 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3099&lon=-120.2702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29786 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29786/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA178 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a low pass maneuvering flight resulting in loss of control. High density altitude was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - low pass - intentional, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The density altitude was approximately 4,000 feet when the helicopter took off and departed the area. A witness reported that, moments later, the helicopter made a high speed flyby in the opposite direction at 2 or 3 feet above ground level after which the pilot made a climbing, steep turn at a near vertical bank angle. The helicopter then descended in the banked attitude until it impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that he recalled hearing the low rotor rpm warning horn before impact and that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1997, at 1830 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N83795, impacted terrain while maneuvering after takeoff at Santa Margarita, California. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. A witness reported that, immediately after liftoff, the aircraft made an abrupt left turn and departed the area at a low altitude in an easterly direction. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter made a low altitude, high speed, flyby in the opposite direction. After the flyby at 2 to 3 feet above the ground, the aircraft climbed to about 40 feet and made a "hard" right turn. It remained in the turning banked attitude until it descended and impacted the ground. In a sketch attached to his statement, the witness indicated that the bank angle was approximately 90 degrees. In his statement the pilot reported that, during the turn, the cyclic pitch control felt "mushy" and slow to respond and he recalled that the low rpm warning horn sounded prior to impact. In his report to the NTSB, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft. The density altitude was approximately 4,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83795](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83795-2003-07-16), registration cancelled 2003-07-16, S/N 0324, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 - 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: 0324 - Airframe hours: 2995 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas Zimmerman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 1997, 94 hours before - Destination: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 313 total, 177 in this make and model, 313 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 300° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SBP, 9 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 19970512009889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970512009889A), May 12, 1997: Robsin R22, Santa Margarita, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter lost control on takeof and crashed. 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.