Robinson R22 accident near El Monte, California, February 15, 2006
On February 15, 2006 at about 6:12 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N23617, was substantially damaged in an accident near El Monte, California (El Monte Airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in the helicopter dynamically rolling over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 15, 2006 · about 6:12 pm local time
- Place
- El Monte, California · El Monte Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N23617 · no longer on the register · serial 2265
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter rolled over and impacted terrain during an attempted takeoff from the asphalt tarmac. The pilot said he lifted the helicopter and the skids were lightly touching the surface. He began to raise the collective and the helicopter's nose responded by becoming airborne first. As he applied forward cyclic to level the helicopter, a strong gust of wind was encountered. The helicopter stabilized and he continued to raise the collective. The helicopter ascended about 3 feet above ground level (agl) and was pushed back by the wind. The nose pitched up and the left skid contacted the ground. The helicopter rolled backward to the left, rotating around the left skid. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,700 hours in all; 920 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,650 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Textron Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EMT El Monte CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 5:47 pm from EMT
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.