Robinson R22 accident near Hayward, California, December 28, 2018
On December 28, 2018 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 1994 Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N8319T, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Hayward, California (Hayward Executive airport). 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
An in-flight collision with a bird during low-altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 28, 2018 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Hayward, California · Hayward Executive · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA, built 1994 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N8319T · no longer on the register · serial 2488
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings at the airport. The student took off from taxiway Z and flew a right traffic pattern with the intent to land on taxiway A. As the helicopter was making a right crosswind turn over a golf course at 300 ft above ground level, a large bird flew out of the trees and struck the tail rotor. The flight instructor took over control of the helicopter as it began to yaw, and he subsequently initiated an autorotation to the golf course, and the helicopter landed hard. The tailboom and fuselage were substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Bird remains identified as a turkey vulture were found on the golf course. The average weight of the species is 4 lbs.
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
What happened, in order
- Birdstrike during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,116 hours in all; 900 in this make and model; 164 in the last 90 days; 59 in the last 30 days; 999 as pilot in command; 680 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 13, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Flight time: 17.7 hours in all; 17.7 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,508 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 30, 2018; 35 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,369 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KHWD Hayward CA at 6:43 pm
- Destination: KHWD Hayward CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 8 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from KHWD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 5, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Bird Identification Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N8319T the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.