Robinson R22 BETA accident near Chatsworth, California, July 2, 2002
On July 2, 2002 at about 9:45 pm local time, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter), registered N4072T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chatsworth, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate flare resulting in rotor blade contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the high altitude and the airframe vibration for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 2002 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Chatsworth, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N4072T · no longer on the register · serial 1747
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 2,155-hour pilot reported that the helicopter developed an abnormal vibration while en-route to a local practice area. The pilot added that he became concerned about the unusual vibration and elected to land the helicopter as soon as possible to investigate the source of the vibration. The pilot executed a power-on approach to a terraced paved area located to the right of his intended course. While on the approach on a northerly heading, as the pilot was flaring the helicopter for a landing, control was lost after the main rotor blades came in contact with the terraced terrain to his right-front. The pilot stated that the engine was performing "normally" and he did not experience a loss of engine power. He added that at the time of the accident, the winds at the accident site were from the south at an estimated 10 to 13 knots. On June 25, 2002, the Robinson Helicopter Company issued an R22 Safety Alert Letter dealing with unusual vibrations and the possibility of a main rotor blade crack. The letter states that "IF MAIN ROTOR VIBRATION INCREASES RAPIDLY OR BECOMES SEVERE DURING FLIGHT, LAND IMMEDIATELY." The pilot recalled receiving this letter three days prior to the accident and indicated this as the reason for his landing attempt. Both tail rotor blades were broken off about 3 ½ inches from their outboard mount points with severe leading edge damage to both blades. One main rotor blade was bent aft and up from its normal position leaving the trailing edge buckled. The other main rotor blade was bent aft and down from its normal position leaving the trailing edge buckled. Small cracks were observed on both main rotor blades near the root fitting and spar cover area. Due to the observed cracks in the main rotor blade root area, the sealant was removed from both blades and they were subjected to a dye penetrate inspection per Robinson Helicopter Company Service Letter 21A. No indications of cracks in the root fitting material of both blades were found.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,156 hours in all; 25 in the last 90 days; 1,670 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 26, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,743 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 13, 2002; 87 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Group 3 Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: VNY Van Nuys CA at 9:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,300 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 pm from VNY, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N4072T the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.