Robinson R-22 Beta accident near Encinitas, CA
On August 25, 2003, a Robinson R-22 Beta (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Encinitas, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 25, 2003
- Place
- Encinitas, CA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 Beta · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.816°N, 117.139°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030904X01456
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 25, 2003, about 1010 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N8049V, descended into the Pacific Ocean and sank about 0.7 nautical miles west-southwest of Encinitas, California. The helicopter was destroyed, and the student pilot was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity of the accident site. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed, and activated, by the pilot. According to the pilot's certified flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the solo cross-country instructional flight was for the student to fly from San Diego to Long Beach, California. Upon arriving in Long Beach, the student was scheduled for an examination to acquire certification as a private pilot. The student pilot rented the helicopter from Shier Aviation Corporation, which owned and operated it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the Montgomery Field in San Diego, about 1000. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded radar data for aircraft departing Montgomery Field about 1000 on a northerly course paralleling the coastline was undertaken. Several tracks were observed. One of the tracks identified by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was consistent with the accident helicopter's flight planned northerly course. This track was the only one that terminated in the vicinity of the accident site. Further examination of the radar data indicates that at 1009:14, the accident helicopter was at 400 feet (as indicated by the helicopter's Mode C transponder), and had commenced a left turn. At 1009:32
Probable cause
The student pilot's spatial disorientation and inadvertent descent into the ocean while maneuvering to avoid inclement weather. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision due to his improper approval of his student's preflight preparation and failure to ensure that the flight could be performed under visual flight rules. Contributing factors were the low cloud condition, and th
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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.
