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NTSB Report
April 20, 1989 · Robinson R22 BETA · N26198
Stockton, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Stockton, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R22 BETA
Tail Number
N26198
Operator
David & Patricia Heath
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA165
AFTER AN EVENING OF SOCIALIZING, THE PLT & PAX ELECTED TO GO ON A LOCAL FLT IN THE EARLY MORNING HRS BEFORE SUNRISE. THEY TOOK THE HELICOPTER (N26198) WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION & TOOK OFF DRG DARKNESS. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE IN AN ERRACTIC MANNER. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE, THEN HIT THE ROOF OF A BUILDING, CRASHED TO THE GROUND & BURNED. NO PREEXISTING AIRFRAME OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF BLOOD & URINE SAMPLES WERE MADE. THE CHECKS SHOWED THE PLT & PAX HAD BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.17% & 0.11% (GRAMS%), RESPECTIVELY. A DRUG SCREEN OF FLUID FROM THE PLT SHOWED COCAINE/BENZOYLECGONINE LEVELS OF 0.19 MG/L. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS CONCERNING THE PAX WERE NEGATIVE FOR DRUGS.
NTSB Probable Cause
POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT BY FLYING WHILE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL & DRUGS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. THE LIGHT CONDITION (AT NIGHT) AND THE OBSTRUCTIONS (POWER LINES AND BUILDING) WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Full Narrative
AFTER AN EVENING OF SOCIALIZING, THE PLT & PAX ELECTED TO GO ON A LOCAL FLT IN THE EARLY MORNING HRS BEFORE SUNRISE. THEY TOOK THE HELICOPTER (N26198) WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION & TOOK OFF DRG DARKNESS. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE IN AN ERRACTIC MANNER. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE, THEN HIT THE ROOF OF A BUILDING, CRASHED TO THE GROUND & BURNED. NO PREEXISTING AIRFRAME OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF BLOOD & URINE SAMPLES WERE MADE. THE CHECKS SHOWED THE PLT & PAX HAD BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.17% & 0.11% (GRAMS%), RESPECTIVELY. A DRUG SCREEN OF FLUID FROM THE PLT SHOWED COCAINE/BENZOYLECGONINE LEVELS OF 0.19 MG/L. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS CONCERNING THE PAX WERE NEGATIVE FOR DRUGS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:08 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R22 BETA
Tail NumberN26198
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDavid & Patricia Heath
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind340° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:45
Weather SourceWFAC