Robinson R-22B accident near Chino, California, July 29, 2006
On July 29, 2006 at about 6:10 am local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N475SH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chino, California (Chino Airport). It was an instructional 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 certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision and incorrect remedial action. A factor was the student pilot's loss of control in a hovering turn.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2006 · about 6:10 am local time
- Place
- Chino, California · Chino Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N475SH · no longer on the register · serial 4050
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter collided with the ground and rolled over following a loss of directional control while hovering. The student pilot performed a 90-degree pedal turn to the right. As he completed the turn he encountered a right crosswind and began to lose control of the helicopter. The helicopter yawed to the left and drifted into a run-up area. The student asked the certified flight instructor (CFI) to take control. The CFI applied left pedal, causing the left yaw to progress into a spin. Before he realized his mistake and made a corrective input, the helicopter hit the ground and rolled onto its left side. The CFI stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The Automated Surface Observation System located at the airport reported that the winds were from 240 degrees at 8 knots.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 285 in this make and model; 92 in the last 90 days; 77 in the last 30 days; 215 as pilot in command; 75 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 15 hours in all; 15 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KCNO Chino CA at 11:00 pm
- Destination: KCNO Chino CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 am from CNO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.