Lampson Field Airport, Lakeport, California

Location: Lampson Field Airport is located 3 miles south of Lakeport, California.

History:

Lampson Field Airport Today: Obstructions reported; Hills to the north of the field; Facilities available for helicopters and seaplanes; Intensive flight training; Helicopter operations;



Airport Services and Amenities:  Air North Coast; Air Power; Lake Aero Styling and Repair; Newhall Aviation Services; Reach Air Ambulance; Steve's Aircraft; Tom's Aircraft Enterprises; Fuel; Chevron Texaco 100LL;  Restaurant on the field; Skyroom; Food and lodging within 5 miles;

Special Events and Attractions: Wineries;

Airport Area Accident History:

On June 25, 2009, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R44 II, N515DG, landed hard during a forced landing approximately 7 miles west-northwest of Lakeport, California. Cutting Edge Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The CFI reported that the helicopter had been fueled to capacity prior to takeoff. They were conducting a 180-degree autorotation with a power recovery. They entered the helicopter into a glide and as they made the turn, the CFI noticed that the oil and auxiliary fuel pump lights were on. The CFI then looked at the tachometer and attempted to increase the throttle. The power did not return so the CFI committed to a landing. During the landing, the main rotor blades impacted the tail boom.

The helicopter and engine were examined following their recovery from the accident site. The spark plugs were removed and examined. Their condition was consistent with normal operation when compared to a Champion Check-A-Plug chart. With the engine still installed on the helicopter and using the original fuel onboard the helicopter, it was powered. The engine test ran and no pre-impact anomalies were identified.

According to Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) Safety Notice SN-38, Practice Autorotations Cause Many Training Accidents, “There have been instances where the engine has quit during practice autorotation. To avoid inadvertent engine stoppage, do not roll the throttle to full idle. Reduce throttle firmly for a small visible needle split, then hold throttle firmly to override governor. Recover immediately if engine is rough or engine RPM continues to drop.”

Accident occurred Saturday, February 03, 2001 in Kelseyville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/6/2001
Aircraft: Cessna T210M, registration: N761SE
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that, during his preflight inspection of the aircraft, he noted the fuel gauges indicated about 25 gallons total fuel in the tanks, and, while looking in each of the two tanks and rocking the aircraft, he could hear sloshing and saw an irregular reflection. After takeoff, while climbing out at 120 - 130 knots and climbing 500 feet per minute, the airplane was near 4,000 feet msl when he felt the controls of the airplane get heavy. He had a headset on and couldn't hear the engine well. When he checked the instruments he saw that the engine tachometer was down to 1,200 rpm and the airspeed was slowing to below 100 knots. There was no roughness, no loud noise, and no sputtering from the engine. The engine continued to windmill. The airplane was on the right-hand fuel tank and he switched to the left tank. The throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were in the full forward position. He believed that he only turned on the low fuel boost pump switch position because he focused his attention outside the airplane on selecting a site and landing. The aircraft recovery company reported that, when they recovered the airplane, there was no fuel in the right tank and about 8 gallons fuel in the left tank (0.5 gallons of fuel in each tank is unusable). A postaccident examination of the aircraft did not reveal any mechanical abnormality. According to the Cessna Aircraft Company Pilot Operating Handbook for the model T210M (Emergency Procedures, Engine Failure During Flight), following loss of engine power, the pilot should; 1) switch to the fuller fuel tank, 2) place the mixture control in the full rich position, 3) turn the auxiliary fuel pump on for 3 - 5 seconds with the throttle 1/2 open, and 4) slowly advance the throttle. A Cessna Aircraft spokesman said that, if the throttle and mixture were full forward (full throttle and rich mixture) and the boost pump remained on while the engine was rotating at only 1,200 rpm, a flooded fuel condition was likely created in the engine which prevented restart.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The failure of the pilot to comply with emergency procedures contained in the Pilot's Operating Handbook, which resulted in an excessively rich mixture and loss of engine power.

Lampson Field Airport Approach / Landing: