Robinson R22-B and Robinson R22-B accident near Stockton, California, May 19, 1994
On May 19, 1994 at about 2:20 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Robinson R22-B (N140PH) and Robinson R22-B (N2314Z), were involved in the same accident near Stockton, California (Wallom Field). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF THE LANDING HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM A SECOND HELICOPTER.
A FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF A LANDING HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM A SECOND HELICOPTER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 19, 1994 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Stockton, California · Wallom Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Robinson R22-B · all R22-Bs on the register
- Registration
- N140PH · registry record · serial 1408
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Robinson R22-B · all R22-Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2314Z · registry record · serial 1995
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Robinson R22-B final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING UTILIZED TO DRY CHERRY TREES IN A LOCAL ORCHARD AND LANDED FOR FUEL AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT HAD REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO ZERO AND THE ROTOR BLADES WERE STILL TURNING AT FLIGHT IDLE. A SISTER HELICOPTER FROM THE SAME OPERATOR LANDED TO THE RIGHT OF THE IDLING HELICOPTER TO REFUEL. WHEN THE PILOT OF THE SECOND HELICOPTER REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO ZERO, THE ROTOR BLADES MESHED WITH THOSE OF THE FIRST HELICOPTER.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Robinson R22-B final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING UTILIZED TO DRY CHERRY TREES IN A LOCAL ORCHARD AND LANDED FOR FUEL AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT HAD REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO ZERO AND THE ROTOR BLADES WERE STILL TURNING AT FLIGHT IDLE. A SISTER HELICOPTER FROM THE SAME OPERATOR LANDED TO THE RIGHT OF THE IDLING HELICOPTER TO REFUEL. WHEN THE PILOT OF THE SECOND HELICOPTER REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO ZERO, THE ROTOR BLADES MESHED WITH THOSE OF THE FIRST HELICOPTER.
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 for the Robinson R22-B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,165 hours in all; 1,162 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 1,000 as pilot in command; 900 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,809 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 12, 1995; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:46 pm from SCK, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Robinson R22-B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,059 hours in all; 1,636 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,778 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,990 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 22, 1994; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SCK at 12:40 pm
- Destination: SCK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
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.