On September 8, 2005, a Robinson R22 (registration N8348T) operated by Orbic Helicopters was involved in an aviation accident near Santa Clarita, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's mistake of increasing the collective in an attempt to clear the obstruction. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A helicopter rolled over while hover taxiing in a dry river bed after the right skid contacted wet sand, causing the pilot to make a control error. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Accident Details
A helicopter rolled over while hover taxiing into position for a takeoff in a dry river bed. The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in the area. Following a landing, the pilot was repositioning the helicopter to the right when the right skid contacted wet sand and dug in. The helicopter began tipping to the right, and the pilot responded by applying left cyclic.
Pilot Statement
The pilot told Federal Aviation Administration inspectors that he then made the mistake of increasing the collective in an attempt to clear the obstruction. The helicopter subsequently rolled over to the right and sustained substantial damage.
Probable cause
The pilot's mistake of increasing the collective in an attempt to clear the obstruction.
What happened in the 8 Sept 2005 Robinson R22 accident near Santa Clarita, CA?
A helicopter rolled over while hover taxiing in a dry river bed after the right skid contacted wet sand, causing the pilot to make a control error. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Sept 2005 involved a Robinson R22, registration N8348T, operated by Orbic Helicopters, at Santa Clarita, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's mistake of increasing the collective in an attempt to clear the obstruction.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…