Robinson R22HP accident near Camarillo, California, April 3, 1991
On April 3, 1991 at about 6:39 pm local time, a Robinson R22HP (helicopter), registered N9068T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Camarillo, California (Camarillo airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND APPLY PROPER REMEDIAL ACTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER SELECTION OF THE TOUCHDOWN POINT AND THE DISREGARDING OF COMPANY PROCEDURES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 3, 1991 · about 6:39 pm local time
- Place
- Camarillo, California · Camarillo · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22HP · all R22HPs on the register
- Registration
- N9068T · no longer on the register · serial 173
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE NON-CERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT WAS TERMINATING AN AUTHORIZED SOLO HELICOPTER FLIGHT AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A SMALL CEMENT PAD. THIS LANDING SITE WAS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE BY STUDENT PILOTS. THE STUDENT'S INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO SIGNAL AND MOTION THE STUDENT TO LAND ON A NEARBY RAMP AREA. IN THE LANDING ATTEMPT, THE REAR PORTION OF THE HELICOPTER SKID TUBES WERE HANGING OVER THE EDGE OF THE PAD AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO TIP TO THE REAR. THE PILOT APPLIED ABRUPT UP COLLECTIVE PITCH AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN. THE TAIL CONTACTED THE GROUND DESTROYING THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES AND STABILIZER. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE INSTRUCTOR HAD PREVIOUSLY ADVISED THE STUDENT NOT TO USE THE CEMENT LANDING PAD.
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: student
- Flight time: 38 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 3 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Advanced Helicopters INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.