Robinson R-22B accident near Anaheim, California, May 8, 1992
On May 8, 1992 at about 6:03 pm local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N8064E, was destroyed in an accident near Anaheim, California. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM DURING THE AUTOROTATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 1992 · about 6:03 pm local time
- Place
- Anaheim, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8064E · no longer on the register · serial 1264
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ABOUT 4 MINUTES AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A HOSPITAL HELIPAD WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT ABOUT 150 TO 200 FEET AGL, THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE LOSS POWER. THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED MAKING AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN AND DESCENDING RAPIDLY. WITNESSES SAID THE HELICOPTER'S ROTOR BLADE WAS TURNING VERY SLOWLY. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND WITH VERY LOW ROTOR RPM FOLLOWING THE VERTICAL DESCENT. THE ENGINE AND ALL ACCESSORIES WERE EXAMINED IN DETAIL WITH NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES NOTED. NO DEFICIENCIES WERE FOUND IN THE CONTROL SYSTEM, ROTOR SYSTEM OR CLUTCH FREE WHEELING UNIT.
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: 600 hours in all; 340 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 346 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 15, 1990; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: NONE Temecula CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,300 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:46 pm from FUL, 3 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.