# Accident 20020306003809A: Robsin R22BETA, Girdwood, AK, March 6, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 6, 2002, 12:00 local time
- Place: Girdwood, AK
- Airport: Girdwood Airport
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.7772° N, 148.7214° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7772&lon=-148.7214&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8316N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8316N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22BETA
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC02LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA021) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020306003809A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT WAS PRACTICING RIDGE TOP LANDINGS. DURING THE FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT, THE PILOT APPROACHED THE RIDGE (LANDING AREA) AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. DURING THE FINAL DESCENT THE PILOT TURNED THE HELICOPTER PARALLEL TO THE RIDGE LINE. THE HELICOPTER SETTLED WITH POWER AND LANDED HARD ON THE RIDGE. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. AFTER LANDING, THE PILOT EXITED THE HELICOPTER TO DETERMINE THE DAMAGE TO THE TAIL BOOM. THE MAIN ROTOR HAD TORN A SMALL HOLE ON THE TOP SURFACE OF THE TAIL BOOM. IN ADDITION ONCE THE PILOT HAD EXITED THE HELICOPTER, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD LANDED WITH A 15 KNOT TAIL WIND. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO VISUAL CLUES AS TO WIND DIRECTION OR VELOCITY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC02LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA021), Mar 6, 2002: Robinson R-22 (N8316N), Whittier, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's Failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing. Factors associated with the accident are variable wind conditions, and the pilot's improper approach to the landing site.

## Other reports on N8316N (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20260815009939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260815009939A), Aug 15, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (N8316N), Pembroke Pines, FL, Substantial damage. Robinson R-22 rotorcraft [privacy data omitted] [privacy data omitted] with CFI and student/private pilot, in a hover when the accident occurred with…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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