Robinson R22 Safety Record

The failure of the pilot to observe in a timely manner and maintain clearance from electrical power transmission wires and her improper maneuver to avoid the obstruction.

The pilot's improper use of the rotorcraft cyclic control in response to encountering terrain induced turbulence. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing which contained precautionary notices for turbulence.

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain main rotor RPM, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter and collision with terrain. Factors included the pilot's lack of experience in helicopters, and interpersonal relationship problems between the pilot and his girlfriend.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT, THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AFTER LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE WEATHER CONDITION, WHICH WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE AFTER BEING STRUCK BY THE PILOT'S KNEE BOARD, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE KNEE BOARD WHILE IN FLIGHT.

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WITH GROUND OBSTACLES, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A POWER LINE.

THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID THE CHARTED POWER LINE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FAILURE OF THE UTILITY COMPANIES TO ADEQUATELY REVIEW THE HAZARD POSED BY THE WIRES FOLLOWING A PREVIOUS COLLISION AT THE SAME LOCATION, AND PILOT'S COMPROMISED ABILITY TO DETECT THE WIRES DUE TO THEIR LACK OF CONSPICUITY.

THE INSTRUCTOR ALLOWING THE STUDENT FLY SOLO IN WIND CONDITIONS EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WINDS IN THE TRAINING SYLLABUS, AND ALSO NEAR THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CONTROLLABILITY ENVELOPE FOR THE HELICOPTER. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT/APPLICANT OF THE R22B, N621SG, TO FOLLOW LOW APPROACH PROCEDURES, AND THE FAILURE OF THE DESIGNATED EXAMINER/OBSERVER IN THE R22B TO MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION FROM THE CESSNA 152, N5532Q. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE INSUFFICIENT RESPONSE OF BOTH PILOTS OF THE R22B IN REPLY TO TRAFFIC INFORMATION, THE LOCAL CONTROLLER'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN POSITIVE CONFIRMATION OF VISUAL ACQUISITION OF THE CESSNA 152 FROM THE PILOTS OF THE R22B, AND THE FAILURE OF THE LOCAL CONTROLLER TO REMAIN ATTENTIVE TO THE CONVERGING TRAFFIC AND ISSUE APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTIONS TO AVOID THE COLLISION.

Failure by the pilot-in-command, for unknown reasons, to maintain sufficient altitude to clear surrounding terrain. Factors were mountainous terrain and high density altitude.

A DIVERGENCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHICH RESULTED IN ROTOR CONTACT TO THE TAILBOOM AND COCKPIT.

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT BY FLYING WHILE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL & DRUGS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. THE LIGHT CONDITION (AT NIGHT) AND THE OBSTRUCTIONS (POWER LINES AND BUILDING) WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE, PROPER AIRSPEED FOR THE REDUCED VISIBILITY, AND AN ADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH POWER TRANSMISSION CABLE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG.