Robinson R-22BETA accident near Paso Robles, California, July 11, 1992
On July 11, 1992 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Robinson R-22BETA (helicopter), registered N2316H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Paso Robles, California. 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 PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE HELICOPTER AND THE TERRAIN WHILE HOVER TAXING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 1992 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Paso Robles, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22BETA · all R-22BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N2316H · no longer on the register · serial 1997
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS HOVER TAXIING IN A DRY STREAM BED IN A CANYON. THE HELICOPTER'S RIGHT SKID CAUGHT ON THE STREAM BANK AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE HIS ALTITUDE. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER DURING THE SUBSEQUENT UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.
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: 279 hours in all; 166 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 86 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 583 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection; 83 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kyodo Air, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: PRB at 8:00 pm
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 3 knots
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.