Robinson R22 BETA accident near Wildomar, CA
On September 24, 1993, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Wildomar, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 24, 1993
- Place
- Wildomar, CA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.619°N, 117.251°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X13417
NTSB summary
History of the Flight On September 24, 1993, at 1454 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N40049, collided with level terrain after experiencing an inflight loss of control near Wildomar, California. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules cross country instructional flight to French Valley Airport, Murrieta, California. The helicopter, operated by U.S. Air School, Brackett Airport, La Verne, California, was destroyed by impact forces. The certificated private pilot and a student pilot/passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight originated at the Brackett Airport, La Verne, California, about 1430 hours. The operator reported that the first pilot was conducting the flight to accumulate the necessary cross country flight experience to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate. The student pilot was in the helicopter for an orientation to cross country flying. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office reported witnesses heard two bang noises followed by the helicopter shedding debris. The helicopter was about 200 feet above the ground at the time. The helicopter then began to spin to the right, and descended uncontrolled until colliding with the ground. An aluminum knee board belonging to the private pilot and an aeronautical sectional chart used for cross country navigation were found within 50 feet of one of the tail rotor blades. The aeronautical sectional chart displayed a course line from the Brackett Airport to the French Valley Airport. The accident location was on the course line drawn on the char
Probable cause
THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE AFTER BEING STRUCK BY THE PILOT'S KNEE BOARD, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE KNEE BOARD WHILE IN FLIGHT.
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Browse: California · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
