Robinson R-22 BETA N649MB
13 September 1992 · Colfax, California, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 13 September 1992 at about 23:00 local time, a Robinson R-22 BETA registered N649MB, operated by Sacramento Exec Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Colfax, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Colfax, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 39.0904, -120.9197
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 BETA
- Registration
- N649MB
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Sacramento Exec Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Auburn → Georgetown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX92LA384
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO FLY AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK-OUT. THE CABLE (STATIC WIRE) CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE FLYING ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND IN A CANYON. THE PILOT FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID A STEEL CABLE TRAVERSING THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT PATH. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE CABLE AND CRASHED INTO A RIVER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Dec 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Fresno, California, United States | Henry Broadcasting Co. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1992 | Robinson R-22 | Fresno, California, United States | Mazzei Flying Service | Fatal | 1 |
| 30 Jan 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Malabar, Florida, United States | Melbourne Helicopters Inc. | Fatal | 2 |
| 22 Apr 1992 | Robinson R-22 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Carroll, Ronald | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 May 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, United States | Kansas Copter & Wings, Inc. | Fatal | 2 |
| 7 Mar 1992 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Oxbow, Oregon, United States | Helicolor, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1992 | Piper PA-28R-201T | Ludlow, California, United States | Higgins, Melvin W & Jean | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Feb 1992 | Beechcraft C-23 | Fullerton, California, United States | Eldon R. Howe | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 150 | San Jose, California, United States | Veda Corporation | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 182N | San Ardo, California, United States | Soil Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Grumman G-164B | Dixon, California, United States | Sunrise Duster, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Bellanca 7ECA | Apple Valley, California, United States | Chester Waite | Serious injuries | - |