Accident Robinson R22 Beta N2445Q, Friday 12 February 1988

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Date:	Friday 12 February 1988
Time:	15:00 LT
Type:	Robinson R22 Beta
Owner/operator:	Rolling Hills Aviation
Registration:	N2445Q
MSN:	575
Total airframe hrs:	804 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360-J2A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Westlake Vlg, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Torrance, CA (KTOA)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
WHILE CROSSING OVER A RIDGE LINE THE PLT REPTD THAT THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP, THEN DOWN, FOLLOWED BY A VIOLENT RIGHT TURN. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO ARREST THE TURN BUT THE HELICOPTER WAS TOO LOW TO THE DOWNWARD SLOPING RIDGE AND A CRASH WAS IMMINENT. THE PLT EXECUTED A LEFT PEDAL TURN TO COLLIDE WITH THE TERRAIN TO THE LEFT WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE HELICOPTER FROM ROLLING DOWNHILL. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS AND/OR FAILURES IN THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM.

Probable Cause: PILOT'S REMEDIAL ACTOIN AFTER ENCOUNTERING A PITCH UP WASS TOO ABRUPT AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL.

Accident investigation: