Robinson R22 BETA accident near Healdsburg, California, April 2, 1995
On April 2, 1995 at about 6:20 pm local time, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter), registered N2323K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Healdsburg, California. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the instructor failed to adequately monitor the student pilot's actions and to react within the control margin necessary to successfully initiate a corrective action.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 1995 · about 6:20 pm local time
- Place
- Healdsburg, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N2323K · no longer on the register · serial 2095
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT INITIATED A STRAIGHT-IN PRACTICE AUTOROTATION FROM 550 FEET AGL. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT DURING THE DESCENT AIRSPEED AND RPM WERE MAINTAINED WITHIN LIMITS. AT 40 FEET AGL, THE STUDENT INITIATED HIS FLARE, BUT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC SO ABRUPTLY AND WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO COUNTERACT THE MOVEMENT. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO DESCEND IN A TAIL-LOW ATTITUDE UNTIL THE STINGER AND TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND, BUCKLING THE TAILBOOM. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT WINDS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE.
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: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 312 hours in all; 307 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 221 as pilot in command; 29 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,888 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 18, 1995; 76 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: STS Santa Rosa CA at 6:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:45 pm from STS, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.