Robinson R-22 accident near Lancaster, California, September 2, 1990
On September 2, 1990 at about 2:40 am local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N4019S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lancaster, 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 PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT A TAKEOFF WHEN THE AIRCRAFT CAPABILITY WAS EXCEEDED BY WEIGHT AND DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 1990 · about 2:40 am local time
- Place
- Lancaster, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · all R-22s on the register
- Registration
- N4019S · registry record · serial 1398
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE 180 HOUR CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF OVER GROSS WEIGHT AND AT A HIGH DENSITY ATLTITUDE. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE HELICOPTER FLYING VERY ERRATIC, PITCHING FORWARD AND AFT AND SIDE TO SIDE BEFORE IT LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT STATED TO INVESTIGATORS THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS WEST OF THE CRASH SITE WHEN THE RPM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO STALL.
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: 180 hours in all
- 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: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 10 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 2:46 am from WJF
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.