# NTSB LAX98LA083: Robinson R22, N2308X, Oxnard, CA, January 31, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1998, 16:19 local (Jan 31, 1998, 00:19 UTC)
- Place: Oxnard, CA
- Coordinates: 34.190921, -119.170715 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1909&lon=-119.1707&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 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA083

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the collective during the initiation of the rollover, which prevented the recovery from the condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, takeoff
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - dynamic rollover - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was doing touch-and-go landings to the dirt taxiway.  The helicopter touched down hard and the left skid got stuck in the mud.  The pilot then attempted to liftoff, but the helicopter rolled onto its left side and he 'couldn't recover from dynamic rollover.'

## Factual narrative

On January 30, 1998, at 1619 hours Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22, N2308X, rolled onto its left side following a hard landing at the Oxnard, California, airport.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The personal flight departed from the Camarillo, California, airport at an unknown time and no flight plan was filed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he was doing touch-and-go landings to the dirt taxiway at the Oxnard airport.  He stated that during the accident sequence the helicopter touched down hard and the left skid got stuck in the mud.  The pilot then attempted to liftoff, but the helicopter rolled onto its left side and he "couldn't recover from dynamic rollover."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2308X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2308X-2011-07-07), registration cancelled 2011-07-07, S/N 1963, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R22
- 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: 1963
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Channel Islands Aviaiton
- Registered owner: Office Tomcat America
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA
- Airport: OXR, Oxnard

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 132 total, 122 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR

## 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 19980130000809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980130000809A), Jan 30, 1998: Robsin R22BETA, Oxnard, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that he was doing touch and go landings to the dirt taxiway. The helicopter touched down hard and left skid got stuck in the mud. The pilot…

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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