Robinson R22B N2335Q

Summary

On 23 January 1993 at about 18:30 local time, a Robinson R22B registered N2335Q, operated by Civic Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Palomar Mtn, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 January 1993 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Palomar Mtn, California, United States

Coordinates

33.3107, -116.8405

Aircraft

Robinson R22B

Registration

N2335Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Civic Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Carlsbad → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA101

Nobody was injured.

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INITIAL FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING THE GO AROUND AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENTS OF BOTH PILOTS, AFTER A HIGH RECONNAISSANCE OF A RIDGELINE THE INSTRUCTOR SET THE HELICOPTER UP FOR A PRACTICE PINNACLE APPROACH AND TURNED THE CONTROLS OVER TO THE STUDENT AT ABOUT 500 FEET ABOVE THE RIDGE. SHORTLY AFTER INITIATING THE APPROACH, THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE NOTICED EVIDENCE OF STRONG SURFACE WINDS AND ORDERED A GO AROUND. BOTH PILOTS STATED THAT AS THE GO AROUND WAS INITIATED THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING HORN CAME ON. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN ROTOR RPM AND ACCELERATE THE HELICOPTER; HOWEVER, THEY WERE 'HIT BY A VERY STRONG DOWNDRAFT THAT FORCED US DOWN TO THE SURFACE.' THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE THEN LOWERED THE NOSE TO ATTEMPT TO FLY AWAY FROM THE RIDGELINE BUT THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO THE BRUSH ON THE RIDGE AND ROLLED OVER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.