Robinson R-22 BETA N2304P
18 January 1993 · Watsonville, California, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 18 January 1993 at about 20:39 local time, a Robinson R-22 BETA registered N2304P, operated by Verticare Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Watsonville, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 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 20:39
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Watsonville, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 36.9501, -121.7206
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 BETA
- Registration
- N2304P
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Verticare Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Salinas → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX93LA092
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
PILOT'S POOR VISUAL LOOK-OUT. A FACTOR RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE SEARCHING FOR A MISSING PERSON IN A RIVER. THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE PERSON AND FAILED TO SEE THE WIRES THAT CROSSED THE RIVER. THE HELICOPTER PLUNGED TO THE GROUND AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE WIRES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT ENCOUNTER ANY PREEXISTING HELICOPTER MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Aug 1993 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 8 May 1993 | Robinson R-22 | Corona, California, United States | Parflite Incorporated | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 May 1993 | Robinson R-22 | Pacoima, California, United States | Watson Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jun 1993 | Robinson R-22 | Snohomish, Washington, United States | Hickman, Tyrone A. | No injuries | - |
| 27 Nov 1993 | Robinson R-22 | Rockland, Maine, United States | Woollett, Bruce | No injuries | - |
| 12 Mar 1993 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Folsom, California, United States | Sunrise Air | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jul 1993 | Cessna 310H | Lancaster, California, United States | Yehiem Konski | Fatal | 6 |
| 14 Nov 1993 | Cessna 182 | Colusa, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 1993 | Cessna 172P | Sun City, California, United States | Hiser Helicopters, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 31 Jul 1993 | Robinson R44 | El Monte, California, United States | Benjamin F. Venti, SR. | Fatal | 3 |
| 17 Nov 1993 | Piper PA-38-112 | Fresno, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jan 1993 | Beechcraft A35 | Tulare, California, United States | Rent and Lease Programs | Fatal | 2 |