Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Santa Paula, CA
On May 23, 2014, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Santa Paula, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 23, 2014
- Place
- Santa Paula, CA
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.327°N, 119.080°W
- NTSB ID
- 20140523X44003
Official records · WPR14FA203
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On May 23, 2014, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N4081H, collided with overhead distribution power lines and terrain while maneuvering west of the Santa Paula Airport (SZP) Santa Paula, California. The certified commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was fatally injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to Sierra Flite, LLC, Camden, Delaware, and operated by Channel Islands Helicopters, LLC, Oxnard, California, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Oxnard Airport (OXR) Oxnard, California about 0930.According to Channel Islands Helicopters, the pilot departed OXR after refueling, and flew in the area near the Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California (CMA), where he then departed for SZP. The helicopter was refueled at OXR with 15.8 gallons of 100LL. The pilot was building time towards his rotorcraft commercial rating. A witness, who lived near the accident site, saw the helicopter flying in a northeasterly direction paralleling her property. The helicopter was below the tree line on the opposite side of the riverbed and was descending. The witness stated that the helicopter sounded normal but was unusually loud because it was so close. Shortly after losing sight of the helicopter, she heard two loud "pops." According to local law enforcement, three phase overhead distribution power lines were separated directly over the accident si
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while flying at a low altitude.
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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.
