Robinson R-22B accident near Barstow, California, July 5, 1992
On July 5, 1992, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N2321R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Barstow, California. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
1) THE PILOT'S MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE INTO A TAILWIND CONDITION WHICH EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE HELICOPTER, 2) HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER MAIN ROTOR RPM, AND 3) THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN ALTITUDE FOR THE MANEUVERS WHICH WAS TOO LOW TO ALLOW FOR REMEDIAL ACTION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 1992
- Place
- Barstow, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2321R · no longer on the register · serial 2027
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGAGED IN FILMING AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE RACE FOR A MAJOR SPORTS TELEVISION NETWORK. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS FOLLOWING THE RACE CARS ON THE COURSE AND MADE A LOW ALTITUDE TURN INTO A TAILWIND HE LATER DISCOVERED WAS 20 KNOTS OR GREATER. THE HELICOPTER LOST MAIN ROTOR RPM, DESCENDED INTO A HILLSIDE AND ROLLED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE LIMITATIONS SECTION OF THE ROBINSON R22B POH, THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED TAILWIND COMPONENT CAPABILITY IS 17 KNOTS.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,242 hours in all; 1,163 in this make and model; 209 in the last 90 days; 53 in the last 30 days; 1,089 as pilot in command; 487 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 119 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 20, 1992; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Helicopter Services Of Nevada
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 11:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.