Robinson R-22B accident near Agua Dulce, California, August 6, 1994
On August 6, 1994 at about 7:57 pm local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N701SH, was destroyed in an accident near Agua Dulce, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's poorly planned approach and improper remedial action. Factors relating to this accident were the high density altitude and prevailing tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 6, 1994 · about 7:57 pm local time
- Place
- Agua Dulce, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N701SH · no longer on the register · serial 1701
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN APPROACH TO LAND FROM THE WEST IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT TOLD SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES THAT AT 100 FEET HE FELT HE WAS SETTLING-WITH-POWER. HE ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER, BUT AT 10 FEET HE REALIZED HE DID NOT HAVE POWER AVAILABLE. THE HELICOPTER SETTLED TO THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER. RESPONDING SHERIFF'S HELICOPTER PILOTS ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS FROM THE WEST BETWEEN 15 AND 20 KNOTS AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED AT 6,100 FEET MSL.
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: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 601 hours in all; 101 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 65 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 20, 1994
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VNY Van Nuys CA at 7:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.