Robinson R-22 BETA accident near Fresno, California, December 3, 1992
On December 3, 1992 at about 1:09 am local time, a Robinson R-22 BETA (helicopter), registered N80142, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fresno, California. It was an aerial observation 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 INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE SEPARATION OF THE FUEL CAP, TAIL ROTOR BLADE BALANCE WEIGHT, TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX, AND THE VERTICAL FIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 3, 1992 · about 1:09 am local time
- Place
- Fresno, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 BETA · all R-22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N80142 · registry record · serial 0992
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX AND THE VERTICAL FIN SEPARATED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND THE HELICOPTER IN A FLOOD BASIN. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL CAP CAME OFF THE FUEL TANK AND STRUCK A TAIL ROTOR BLADE. THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE BALANCE WEIGHT SEPARATED AS DID THE ENTIRE VERTICAL FIN. THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE HELICOPTER BY ITS PITCH CHANGE CONNECTING ROD. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE SEPARATED PARTS DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING CRACKING OR FATIGUE. THE POROSITY LEVEL OF THE VERTICAL FIN BULKHEAD CASTING WAS WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,130 hours in all; 2,667 in this make and model; 156 in the last 90 days; 52 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,167 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 9, 1992
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Henry Broadcasting CO.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 50°F (10°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.