Robinson R22 accident near Palm Springs, California, August 2, 1989
On August 2, 1989 at about 10:08 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N971JG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Palm Springs, California. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MANIPULATE THE THROTTLE CONTROL TO MAINTAIN ENGINE/ROTOR RPM AND HIS DECISION TO ENTER AN AUTOROTATION (FORCED LANDING). HIS EAGERNESS TO LAND AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 1989 · about 10:08 pm local time
- Place
- Palm Springs, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N971JG · no longer on the register · serial 0843
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE ENROUTE TO HIS FIRST DESTINATION OF A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE RECENTLY RATED PILOT OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE RPM SIGHTLY BELOW THE NORMAL RANGE. HE WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE THE RPM AND ELECTED TO ENTER AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT TO THE GROUND. DURING THE AUTOROTATION, HE OBSERVED ELECTRICAL POWER LINES IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND MANEUVERED TO AVOID THEM. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SERIOUSLY INJURING THE PILOT.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 82 hours in all; 82 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 25 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 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: SNA Santa Ana CA at 9:15 pm
- Destination: PSP Palm Springs CA
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 104°F (40°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 9:46 pm from PSP, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.