Robinson R-22 accident near Hacienda Height, CA
On May 11, 1994, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Hacienda Height, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 11, 1994
- Place
- Hacienda Height, CA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.001°N, 117.969°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01313
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 10, 1994, at 2142 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N8047Y, collided with the upper static cable of power transmission lines in Hacienda Heights, California, while on a night cross-country flight. The helicopter was rented to the pilot by Skyline Aviation, Inc., Chino, California, and was being operated as a personal flight. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and postimpact fire. The certificated private pilot and certificated private pilot passenger received fatal injuries. The flight originated in Chino, California, at 2000 hours, destined for the Whiteman Airpark, Pacoima, California, and then was scheduled to return to Chino. The accident occurred during the return leg of the flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed with visibility restricted to 4 to 6 miles due to fog and haze. The pilot left a visual flight rules flight plan with the helicopter's operator. After the collision with the cable, the helicopter came to rest on the westbound lanes of Interstate 60. Witnesses traveling eastbound on the interstate indicated they saw the helicopter about 6 miles west of the accident site flying southeast along the interstate at a low altitude. The eastbound witnesses indicated they followed the low-flying helicopter's flight progress until they saw a flash followed by the helicopter descending uncontrolled and exploding. Witnesses who were traveling westbound on the interstate indicated they saw the helicopter momentarily tethered by the cable before it started to descend. According to the westbound witnesses
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an en route cruise altitude which provided insufficient obstruction clearance, and his inadequate visual lookout. Factors in the night time accident were the reduced visibility as a result of the fog and haze.
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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.
