ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 34631
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| Date: | Thursday 26 February 1998 |
| Time: | 14:18 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 |
| Owner/operator: | Lynn Efting |
| Registration: | N8457J |
| MSN: | 0377 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1983 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2871 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-B2C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Littlerock, Los Angeles County, California -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Adelanto, CA |
| Los Angeles, CA (WHP | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Witnesses reported hearing the aircraft fly overhead, then a 'schwap' sound, followed by silence. They looked up and saw the helicopter falling vertically to the ground. Postaccident investigation revealed that one main rotor blade had entered the cockpit through the left windshield half and cut the cabin floor aft to the left seat. The location of an indentation in the cyclic control crosstube, made by the rotor blade, corresponded to the cyclic control having been about in the full left control position. There was no evidence of a mechanical malfunction prior to the rotor divergence. A report of meteorological conditions by the Safety Board showed conditions conducive to mountain wave turbulence, and there were pilot reports of moderate to severe turbulence in the area of the accident. An AIRMET was in effect, calling for occasional moderate turbulence. The pilot did not receive a preflight weather briefing. The Aircraft Flight Manual instructed the pilot to 'minimize cyclic control inputs in turbulence; do not overcontrol' and to land the aircraft 'as soon as practical.' A manufacturer's Safety Notice regarding flight in high winds or turbulence advised pilots 'Do not overcontrol. Avoid large or abrupt control movements. Allow the aircraft to go with the turbulence, then restore level flight with smooth, gentle control inputs.'
Probable Cause: 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.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX98FA098
FAA register: 2. FAA: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=8457J
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 23-Sep-2016 13:24 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Operator, Location, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 07-Apr-2024 14:28 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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