Robinson R-22B accident near Columbus, Ohio, April 18, 1992
On April 18, 1992 at about 7:35 pm local time, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter), registered N104MB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbus, Ohio (Port Columbus airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT OF THE HELICOPTER, WHICH RESULTED IN A TIE DOWN STRAP NOT BEING REMOVED PRIOR TO ATTEMPTED FLIGHT, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ROLL OVER AND COLLISION WITH THE RAMP.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 1992 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Ohio · Port Columbus · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · all R-22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N104MB · no longer on the register · serial 1050
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A PORTABLE PAD. THE HELICOPTER IMMEDIATELY NOSED OVER STRIKING THE RAMP WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIE DOWN STRAP WHICH SECURES THE HELICOPTER TO THE PORTABLE PAD HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED DURING THE PREFLIGHT.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,339 hours in all; 160 in this make and model; 97 in the last 90 days; 33 in the last 30 days; 3,246 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,405 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 17, 1992; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,100 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 61°F (16°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.