# NTSB LAX98LA170: Robinson R22B, N2312N, San Luis Obispo, CA, May 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1998, 19:24 local (May 22, 1998, 02:24 UTC) - Place: San Luis Obispo, CA - Coordinates: 35.249889, -120.620429 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2499&lon=-120.6204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30096/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA170 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing was wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) ## Analysis The flight instructor asked the student to demonstrate an autorotation from a hover approximately 2 to 3 feet high. The CFI stayed on the controls throughout the maneuver. After they closed the throttle, the helicopter moved backwards and to the left. As the helicopter touched the ground, the rear portion of the left skid became imbedded in the runway surface and the aircraft rolled over onto its left side. The aircraft came to rest approximately 180 degrees from its original heading. The winds at the time were reported to be from a direction of 310 degrees at a velocity of 18 knots gusting to 22 knots. The CFI reported that they conducted all their maneuvers into the wind. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1998, at 1924 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22B, N2312N, rolled over at the San Luis Obispo, California, airport while practicing hovering autorotations. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the certified flight instructor and dual student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that he and the student were practicing maneuvers on a nonactive runway. He reported that he asked the student to demonstrate an autorotation from a hover from approximately 2 to 3 feet agl. The CFI stated that he stayed on the controls with the student throughout the maneuver. As they initiated the maneuver by closing the throttle, the helicopter moved backward with some sideward movement to the left. As the helicopter touched the ground, the rear left skid became imbedded in the runway surface and the aircraft rolled over onto its left side. The aircraft came to rest approximately 180 degrees from its original heading. Both pilots exited the aircraft with no injuries. The winds at the time were reported to be from a direction of 310 degrees at a velocity of 18 knots gusting to 22 knots. The CFI reported that they conducted all their maneuvers headed into the wind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2312N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2312N), registered now, S/N 2018, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22B - 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: 2018 - Airframe hours: 4274 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Helipro, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 8, 1998, 60 hours before - Departed: SBP - Airport: SBP, San Luis Obispo, runway 25, 3,259 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 362 total, 362 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 18 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SBP ## 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 19980521010369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980521010369A), May 21, 1998: Robsin R22BETA, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. During hover moved backward and left. Skid caught runway surface. Turned left and rolled over. (.4)the flight instructor asked the student to demonstrate an… ## Other investigations on N2312N (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 LAX93LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA224), May 26, 1993: Robinson R-22 (N2312N), Pacoima, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLE AND ANTITORGUE PEDALS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE. 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.