Robinson R22 BETA accident near Rialto, CA
On March 24, 2000, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Rialto, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 24, 2000
- Place
- Rialto, CA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.118°N, 117.384°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20660
Official records · LAX00FA134
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 24, 2000, about 1248 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N8328Q, operated by Universal Aviators Academy, Inc., El Monte, California, descended into terrain while on final approach to the (uncontrolled) Rialto Municipal Airport, Rialto, California. The helicopter was destroyed, and the private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the solo instructional flight. The flight was being performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from El Monte about noon. The pilot's certified flight instructor (CFI) reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that his student, who was certificated to pilot airplanes, was learning to fly rotorcraft. The accident occurred during the student's first solo cross-country flight in rotorcraft. During the morning of March 24, the pilot received a dual flight lesson from his CFI in the accident helicopter. The 1.1-hour-long lesson involved flying a round robin course between El Monte and Rialto. About 1045, upon returning to El Monte, the CFI endorsed his student's logbook for his first solo cross-country flight in the R22. The planned route of flight was to be identical to the route they had just flown. Prior to taking off the helicopter's fuel tanks were completely filled. En route to Rialto, the pilot passed the Ontario International Airport. Thereafter, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded radar data, the pilot flew in an easterly and northeasterly direction toward Rialto. Approaching Rialto's downwin
Probable cause
The pilot's in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.
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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.
