Robinson R-22 N8280J

Summary

On 8 January 2008 at about 21:05 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N8280J was involved in an accident near Riverside, 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

8 January 2008 at 21:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Riverside, California, United States

Coordinates

33.8550, -117.4286

Aircraft

Robinson R-22

Registration

N8280J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Riverside → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA08CA065

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper use of the collective control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while making an approach to a hover about 15 feet above ground level (agl), he applied power and collective to stop the decent rate and the helicopter began to yaw to the right. Despite the pilot adding left anti-torque pedal and increasing power, the helicopter continued to yaw to the right and ascended 50 to 75 feet. The pilot stated he lowered the collective and reduced power until the helicopter descended through about 25 feet agl, and then he raised the collective for landing. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard within sandy terrain on the shoreline of a lake. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail boom and firewall sustained substantial damage. No mechanical anomalies were noted during the examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.