Robinson R22B accident near Los Angeles, California, December 11, 2004
On December 11, 2004 at about 6:13 pm local time, a Robinson R22B (helicopter), registered N145RJ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Los Angeles, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The activation of the low main rotor rpm warning system for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 11, 2004 · about 6:13 pm local time
- Place
- Los Angeles, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22B · all R22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N145RJ · no longer on the register · serial 1149
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While flying over downtown Los Angeles, about 1,200 feet mean sea level, the pilot observed the low rotor warning light illuminate followed by the low rotor warning horn activating. He entered an autorotation and attempted to land on a helipad on top of a 56-story office building. During the landing phase the helicopter overshot the landing pad and the main rotor blades came in contact with the window washing equipment. The helicopter missed the helipad and came to rest below the helipad on the roof. Examination of the aircraft systems and the engine failed to disclose any abnormality.
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: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 602 hours in all; 101 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 424 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,470 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 1, 2004; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LGB Long Beach CA at 5:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 5:50 pm from LAX, 15 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.
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.