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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 19, 1994 · Robinson R22-B · N140PH

Stockton, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Stockton, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R22-B
Tail Number
N140PH
Operator
David L Heath
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA220

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING UTILIZED TO DRY CHERRY TREES IN A LOCAL ORCHARD AND LANDED FOR FUEL AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT HAD REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO ZERO AND THE ROTOR BLADES WERE STILL TURNING AT FLIGHT IDLE. A SISTER HELICOPTER FROM THE SAME OPERATOR LANDED TO THE RIGHT OF THE IDLING HELICOPTER TO REFUEL. WHEN THE PILOT OF THE SECOND HELICOPTER REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO ZERO, THE ROTOR BLADES MESHED WITH THOSE OF THE FIRST HELICOPTER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF THE LANDING HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM A SECOND HELICOPTER.

Full Narrative

On May 19, 1994, about 0720 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22-B helicopter, N140PH, collided with a second Robinson R22-B, N2314Z, while on the ground at a private airstrip, about 10 miles north of Stockton, California. The two helicopters were being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight to dry cherry trees in the local area when the accident occurred. The helicopters, operated by Sunrise Helicopters Inc., Stockton, California, both received substantial damage. The pilot of N140PH, a certificated commercial pilot, received minor injuries. The pilot of N2314Z, also a certificated commercial pilot, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, about 0540 hours. The pilots reported that after terminating the tree drying operation over a local orchard, both aircraft proceeded to Wallom Field, a private airstrip, to refuel. The pilot of N140PH landed near the refueling point and had reduced the engine power to idle. The rotor blades were still turning. The pilot of N2314Z landed to the right side of the first aircraft. After the landing gear skids had touched down, the pilot lowered the collective pitch control to full down. As the second helicopter's rotor blades reached flat pitch, they meshed with those of N140PH. The resulting action caused both helicopters to pivot on the ground. Both aircraft received damage to the main rotor blades, mast and transmission, and tail boom.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 PDT
Nearest AirportWallom Field (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22-B
Tail NumberN140PH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid L Heath
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160 | Lycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 56 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data