Robinson R-22 accident near Lowerlake, CA
On October 5, 1998, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Lowerlake, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 5, 1998
- Place
- Lowerlake, CA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.879°N, 122.550°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X11280
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 5, 1998, at 1405 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22, N801EH, collided with terrain while maneuvering over an open meadow southeast of Lower Lake, California. The aircraft was destroyed during the impact sequence and postcrash fire. The flight instructor and his student both received fatal injuries, although the student succumbed on November 24, 1998. The aircraft was being operated as an instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91 by Sacramento Executive Helicopters, Inc., when the accident occurred. The flight originated from Sacramento Executive Airport earlier in the day, and had last departed Lampson Field, Lakeport, California, after a refueling stop about 1350, en route back to Sacramento. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. One witness near the accident site reported that he saw the aircraft fly over his home on a southeasterly heading. As he watched, the aircraft began a left turn toward a more easterly heading. He stated that the aircraft suddenly dove into the ground. He saw debris fly from the aircraft on impact. About 10 seconds after seeing and hearing the impact, he heard an explosion as he saw the aircraft burst into an orange and black fireball. He described the aircraft as having been flying "low" prior to the impact. He also reported that at the time of the accident the sky was clear with strong, gusting winds. Another witness stated that the aircraft was southbound at about 200 feet above the trees. He said that it entered a steep, right-banked turn and then hit the g
Probable cause
The flight instructor's failure to adequately supervise the conduct of the flight and the failure of the flying pilot to ensure that adequate ground clearance existed between the stinger/tail rotor and the ground during a deceleration while the aircraft was maneuvering for a practice forced landing. The identity of the flying pilot could not be determined. The instructor's decision to perform the
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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.
