14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, May 23, 2014 in Santa Paula, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 02/29/2016
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA, registration: N4081H
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
A witness who lived near the accident site saw the helicopter flying in a northeasterly direction paralleling her property. The helicopter was below the tree line on the opposite side of the riverbed and was descending. The witness stated that the helicopter sounded normal but was unusually loud because it was so close. Shortly after losing sight of the helicopter, she heard two loud “pops.”
Examination of the accident site revealed that the helicopter struck three unmarked overhead distribution power lines about 80 ft above ground level while traveling in a northeasterly direction. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot did not see the power lines as he was flying along the river at low altitude. It was unknown why the pilot was flying at such a low altitude.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while flying at a low altitude.
On May 23, 2014, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N4081H, collided with overhead distribution power lines and terrain while maneuvering west of the Santa Paula Airport (SZP) Santa Paula, California. The certified commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was fatally injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to Sierra Flite, LLC, Camden, Delaware, and operated by Channel Islands Helicopters, LLC, Oxnard, California, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Oxnard Airport (OXR) Oxnard, California about 0930.
According to Channel Islands Helicopters, the pilot departed OXR after refueling, and flew in the area near the Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California (CMA), where he then departed for SZP. The helicopter was refueled at OXR with 15.8 gallons of 100LL. The pilot was building time towards his rotorcraft commercial rating.
A witness, who lived near the accident site, saw the helicopter flying in a northeasterly direction paralleling her property. The helicopter was below the tree line on the opposite side of the riverbed and was descending. The witness stated that the helicopter sounded normal but was unusually loud because it was so close. Shortly after losing sight of the helicopter, she heard two loud "pops."
According to local law enforcement, three phase overhead distribution power lines were separated directly over the accident site. These lines were supported by two wooden H-frame pole assemblies at a distance of about 1,000 feet from each other and about 80 feet over the dry river bed. The separated power lines were found in the surrounding bamboo vegetation and trees adjacent to the riverbed. Near the northern positioned H-frame, small spot fires were reported in the surrounding vegetation.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 42, held a commercial certificate with an airplane single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, rotorcraft, and instrument ratings. A second-class airman medical certificate was issued in March 2, 2011, with no limitations. The pilot reported on his most recent medical certificate application that he had accumulated 4,628 total flight hours and 56 hours in rotorcraft.
The pilot, received his Private-Rotorcraft rating on May 2, 2014 and the accident flight was his second flight since his rating.
According to the pilot's logbook, the pilot had received ground school and training and was endorsed to fly the R-22 under a special federal aviation regulation 73 (SFAR-73) in February of 2014. The SFAR-73 ensures minimum levels of training and experience for students, pilots, and flight instructors for the Robinson R-22 and R-44.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The two-seat, helicopter, serial number (S/N) 1927, was manufactured in 1991. A review of the maintenance logbooks indicated that the helicopter had a total airframe time of 4,322 hours at the last 100-hour inspection on March 29, 2014. The Hobbs meter read 4,375 at the accident site.
It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-B2C engine, serial number L-17962-39A, rated at 160 horsepower. Total time recorded on the engine at the 100-hour inspection on March 29, 2014 was 4,322 hours and time since major overhaul was 122 hours.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
A review of recorded data from the CMA automated weather observation station revealed at 0955 conditions were wind from 200 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 18° Celsius, dew point 12° Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of Mercury. At 1055 conditions were wind 240 at 9 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 19° Celsius, dew point 12° Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of Mercury.
COMMUNICATIONS
A VFR flight plan was not filed and no ATC communication took place.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
The Santa Paula Airport, SZP, is a public, uncontrolled airport located in Santa Paula, California, at a surveyed elevation of 243 feet. The airport features an asphalt runway 04/22, which is 2,713 feet by 60 feet.
The SZP website reveals traffic pattern diagrams for general aviation inbound and outbound traffic for both east and west wind conditions. The Helo Ops arrival and departure routes are shown over the paralleling riverbed near the airport. Cautions and arrows are outlining the power lines over the riverbed further westward towards the accident site. The airport directory also reports in the additional remarks, "Be alert to wires crossing over river bed adjacent to ry [runway] 04/22. Locations: 1.5 miles & 3.5 miles sw [southwest] apch [approach] end ry [runway] 04. Also, 1,500 ft and 2.5 miles NE [northeast] apch [approach] end of ry [runway] 22."
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Examination of the accident site revealed that the helicopter collided with overhead distribution power lines and terrain on a heading of about 60 degrees magnetic. The wreckage debris path was oriented on an approximate heading of 58 degrees magnetic and was about 170 feet in length. A small section of power line was found about 90 feet from where the power lines would have crossed the dry river bed. About 40 feet further from the section of power line was the first identified point of contact (FIPC) with the ground. The FIPC with the ground revealed several disturbances in the sand and rocks measuring 2 to 3 feet in length and about 3-5 inches in depth. Pieces of the right navigation light lens and the right door were found at the FIPC. A pitch change linkage and a compass instrument were found near the FIPC. Extending about 35 feet further from the FIPC with the ground was the main wreckage. The fuselage came to rest on its right side on a heading of about 65 degrees magnetic. The tailboom was partially separated and buckled near the fuselage and came to rest on a forward heading of about 335 degrees magnetic. The tail rotor assembly, vertical and horizontal stabilizers and the stinger were undamaged. The main rotors remained attached to the mast and were damaged. The forward positioned blade remained intact with leading edge and trailing edge damage. Cable strike marks were visible on the top side of the blade. The aft positioned blade was bent about 90 degrees and about 4 feet of the blade tip was missing. Cable strikes and gouging were noted on the main rotor blade. The blade also had an arc (electrical) mark on the trailing edge. The blade tip was not found during the examination of the accident site. The swash plate linkages were damaged and the mast shroud near the swash plate had cable strike marks. The engine remained attached to the fuselage and impact damage was noted on the induction box and fan shroud. The oil cooler had impact marks from the starter ring gear. The marks showed evidence of rotation of the starter ring gear during contact. The motor from the belt tensioner assembly separated and was found near the main wreckage. Both drive belts were unseated from both engine and drive sheaves. The instrument panel and the forward section of the right skid were found between the FIPC with the ground and the main wreckage. A large section of the right skid was found on the north side of the debris field. The remaining landing gear was separated from, but entangled with the fuselage. A landing gear attachment and a section of a droop stop tusk were found on the south side of the debris field. Plexiglas sections were found throughout the debris field. The battery box, battery and antenna were found further down the debris field from the main wreckage.
The cable separations were examined and a blue colored paint transfer was found on the 3rd line or most easterly positioned line.
The helicopter was recovered to Air Transport in Phoenix, Arizona for further examination.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The County of Ventura conducted an autopsy on the pilot on May 27, 2014. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was "Blunt Force Trauma."
The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. According to CAMI's report, carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were tested, and had negative results.
FIRE
According to the local fire department, small spot fires were ignited by the downed wires in the surrounding vegetation near the northern positioned H-frame pole assembly and were quickly extinguished.
FOLLOWUP EXAMINATION
Examination of the recovered wreckage was conducted on June 5, 2014, at the facilities of Air Transport, Phoenix, Arizona, by a representative from the Robinson Helicopter Company, under the supervision of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC). The examination did not reveal any evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction which would have precluded normal operation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
On July 3, 2011, about 2021 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180D, N6451X, was substantially damaged when it struck a telephone line supported from the two wooden H-frame pole assemblies. The airplane departed SZP and was flying southwest over the riverbed before colliding with the telephone line.
http://registry.faa.gov/N4081H
NTSB Identification: WPR14FA203
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, May 23, 2014 in Santa Paula, CA
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA, registration: N4081H
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On May 23, 2014, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N4081H, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines and terrain while maneuvering west of the Santa Paula Airport (SZP) Santa Paula, California. The commercial pilot was the sole occupant of the helicopter and was fatally injured. The helicopter was registered to Sierra Flite, LLC, Camden, Delaware, and operated by Channel Islands Helicopters, LLC, Oxnard, California, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Oxnard Airport (OXR) Oxnard, California at about 0930.
According to representative from Channel Islands Helicopters, the pilot departed OXR after refueling and flew to Camarillo and then to SZP. The pilot was building flight time towards his rotorcraft commercial rating.
A witness, who lived near the accident site, saw the helicopter flying in a northeasterly direction paralleling her property. The helicopter was below the tree line on the opposite side of the riverbed and was descending. The witness stated that the helicopter sounded normal but was unusually loud because it was so close. Shortly after losing sight of the helicopter, she heard two loud "pops."
Examination of the accident site by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the helicopter impacted power lines and terrain about 1 and 1/2 miles west of SZP. The three phase overhead distribution power lines were separated directly over the accident site. These lines were supported by two wooden H-frame pole assemblies at a distance of about 1,000 feet from each other. The separated power lines were found in the surrounding bamboo vegetation and trees adjacent to the riverbed. Near the northern positioned H-frame, small spot fires were reported in the surrounding vegetation.
Philip Isaac Margolis
Firefighters line up in the Santa Clara River bottom in Santa Paula as medical examiners gather evidence Friday after a helicopter crashed, killing one person.
Officials with the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office released the identity of a helicopter crash victim Tuesday.
Phillip Isaac Margolis III, 42, of Las Vegas, was killed Friday, said James Baroni of the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The autopsy is being conducted Tuesday, so no information on the cause of death was available, he added. The results from toxicology reports, which are also part of standard procedure, would not be available for several weeks, he said.
One Dead Following Helicopter Crash In Santa Paula. Photo Courtesy of NBCLA
The helicopter reportedly clipped power lines before it went down, according to officials.
Related article:One Dead Following Helicopter Crash In Santa Paula
Authorities responded to reports of a chopper down in the 900 block of Corporation Street, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
The search area was located the Robinson R22 about two to three miles from the Santa Paula Airport near Highway 126.
Power lines were taken down and a small brush fire was reported near the crash site, fire officials said. The unidentified chopper crashed in a dry river bed, according to a statement from Ian Gregor of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Branding on the chopper indicated it belonged to the company Channel Islands Helicopters.
Based out of Oxnard Airport, the company offers tours along the Pacific coast from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.
Channel Islands Helicopter also offers training on the R22 and R44 helicopters.
Santa Paula firefighters assisted in the search. Here's a link to the initial crash report.
Details surrounding the crash were not immediately available. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
http://hometownstation.com
A man was killed Friday morning when the helicopter he was flying crashed into the Santa Clara River bottom on the west end of Santa Paula.
The pilot, identified Saturday as 42-year-old Philip Isaac Margolis III of Las Vegas, apparently had rented the helicopter about 9 a.m. from a business at the Oxnard Airport. He was expected to return about 10 a.m.
But at 10:13 a.m., the Ventura County Fire Department responded to a report of a downed helicopter and a small fire.
Either during its descent or as a cause of the descent, the helicopter clipped some power lines in the 900 block of Corporation Street, Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Bill Nash said.
“We don’t know if the clipped power lines were a cause or effect,” Nash said.
The fallen lines started a fire in some bamboo a couple hundred yards from where the helicopter crashed. It burned less than an acre.
The wreckage was found in the nearby river bottom, a few miles west of the Santa Paula Airport, Nash said.
One person was on board and found dead at the scene, he said. The victim’s identity was not disclosed.
A few family members were near the scene of the crash but declined to comment.
The pilot had rented the Robinson R22 from Channel Islands Helicopters on Friday morning, said Jorge Rubio, the county’s deputy director of airports.
He took off about 9 a.m. and was practicing at the Oxnard Airport before leaving for Camarillo. He later got clearance to leave Camarillo air space and headed toward Santa Paula, Rubio said.
A person who answered the phone at Channel Islands Helicopters declined to comment because the crash was under investigation.
Channel Islands Helicopters has been providing flight services and instruction since 2009.
The R22 is a two-seated, two-bladed, single-engine helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter Co. An entry on the Channel Islands Helicopters website says a Robinson R22 was added to its flight instruction fleet in September 2013.
By early Friday afternoon, an investigator from the Federal Aviation Administration was at the scene of the crash, and an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board was headed to Santa Paula.
The NTSB will lead the investigation. It usually issues a preliminary report within a few weeks but takes months to determine a probable cause.
A crew from Southern California Edison de-energized the fallen power lines, said Nancy Williams, region manager for the utility. Three customers were without power, and Edison said it expected restoration around midnight.
Friday’s crash was the third fatal helicopter accident in Ventura County over the past decade. Statewide, 26 fatal crashes have occurred since 2004, according to NTSB data.
A 47-year-old Japanese man died Jan. 31, 2009, after he lost control of his Robinson R22 helicopter and it crashed along the Santa Clara River near Piru. The pilot had taken off from the Camarillo Airport and was scheduled for an hour practice flight over the Piru area when he crashed.
Two Southern California Edison workers — a 48-year-old Upper Ojai man and 41-year-old Temecula man — died Sept. 6, 2006, when their helicopter crashed while they were checking power lines north of Somis. The copter severed a high-voltage power line, although it was unclear whether that caused the crash or happened during the descent.
According to the NTSB, nonfatal helicopter crashes occurred March 11, 2008, near Oxnard; March 25, 2007, at the Camarillo Airport; Oct. 1, 2006, in Ojai; and Nov. 9, 2004, in Oxnard.
Camarillo pilot Karen Johnson, 62, died in a Kern County helicopter crash in early January 2013 while trying to protect crops during a cold spell. In cold weather, helicopters are used as a means to move warmer air down onto threatened crops.
But at 10:13 a.m., the Ventura County Fire Department responded to a report of a downed helicopter and a small fire.
Either during its descent or as a cause of the descent, the helicopter clipped some power lines in the 900 block of Corporation Street, Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Bill Nash said.
“We don’t know if the clipped power lines were a cause or effect,” Nash said.
The fallen lines started a fire in some bamboo a couple hundred yards from where the helicopter crashed. It burned less than an acre.
The wreckage was found in the nearby river bottom, a few miles west of the Santa Paula Airport, Nash said.
One person was on board and found dead at the scene, he said. The victim’s identity was not disclosed.
A few family members were near the scene of the crash but declined to comment.
The pilot had rented the Robinson R22 from Channel Islands Helicopters on Friday morning, said Jorge Rubio, the county’s deputy director of airports.
He took off about 9 a.m. and was practicing at the Oxnard Airport before leaving for Camarillo. He later got clearance to leave Camarillo air space and headed toward Santa Paula, Rubio said.
A person who answered the phone at Channel Islands Helicopters declined to comment because the crash was under investigation.
Channel Islands Helicopters has been providing flight services and instruction since 2009.
The R22 is a two-seated, two-bladed, single-engine helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter Co. An entry on the Channel Islands Helicopters website says a Robinson R22 was added to its flight instruction fleet in September 2013.
By early Friday afternoon, an investigator from the Federal Aviation Administration was at the scene of the crash, and an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board was headed to Santa Paula.
The NTSB will lead the investigation. It usually issues a preliminary report within a few weeks but takes months to determine a probable cause.
A crew from Southern California Edison de-energized the fallen power lines, said Nancy Williams, region manager for the utility. Three customers were without power, and Edison said it expected restoration around midnight.
Friday’s crash was the third fatal helicopter accident in Ventura County over the past decade. Statewide, 26 fatal crashes have occurred since 2004, according to NTSB data.
A 47-year-old Japanese man died Jan. 31, 2009, after he lost control of his Robinson R22 helicopter and it crashed along the Santa Clara River near Piru. The pilot had taken off from the Camarillo Airport and was scheduled for an hour practice flight over the Piru area when he crashed.
Two Southern California Edison workers — a 48-year-old Upper Ojai man and 41-year-old Temecula man — died Sept. 6, 2006, when their helicopter crashed while they were checking power lines north of Somis. The copter severed a high-voltage power line, although it was unclear whether that caused the crash or happened during the descent.
According to the NTSB, nonfatal helicopter crashes occurred March 11, 2008, near Oxnard; March 25, 2007, at the Camarillo Airport; Oct. 1, 2006, in Ojai; and Nov. 9, 2004, in Oxnard.
Camarillo pilot Karen Johnson, 62, died in a Kern County helicopter crash in early January 2013 while trying to protect crops during a cold spell. In cold weather, helicopters are used as a means to move warmer air down onto threatened crops.
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