Robinson R-22B accident near Westlake Vlg, California, February 12, 1988
On February 12, 1988 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N2445Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Westlake Vlg, 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
PILOT'S REMEDIAL ACTOIN AFTER ENCOUNTERING A PITCH UP WASS TOO ABRUPT AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 12, 1988 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Westlake Vlg, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2445Q · no longer on the register · serial 575
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE CROSSING OVER A RIDGE LINE THE PLT REPTD THAT THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP, THEN DOWN, FOLLOWED BY A VIOLENT RIGHT TURN. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO ARREST THE TURN BUT THE HELICOPTER WAS TOO LOW TO THE DOWNWARD SLOPING RIDGE AND A CRASH WAS IMMINENT. THE PLT EXECUTED A LEFT PEDAL TURN TO COLLIDE WITH THE TERRAIN TO THE LEFT WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE HELICOPTER FROM ROLLING DOWNHILL. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS AND/OR FAILURES IN THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM.
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: helicopter
- Flight time: 513 hours in all; 99 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 346 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 804 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 12, 1988; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-82C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rolling Hills Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 8:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 045° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.