# NTSB ANC02LA021: Robinson R-22, N8316N, Whittier, AK, March 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2002, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Whittier, AK - Coordinates: 60.777221, -148.721389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7772&lon=-148.7214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54321 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54321/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54321 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA021 ## 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. ## Analysis The pilot was practicing ridge top landings. He made his last approach perpendicular to the ridgeline. He said because he did not use a parallel approach to the ridge, and there were no wind indicators, he did not perceive an apparent wind shift. On final approach he turned parallel to the ridge, and made the landing with a tailwind. He was unable to arrest the high rate of descent, and forward airspeed, and landed hard on the ridge. The main rotor struck the tail boom, resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2002, about 1200 Alaska standard time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N8316N, sustained substantial damage during a landing on a ridge about 5 miles northwest of Whittier, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The helicopter was operated by Alpine Air, Inc. of Girdwood, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated at the Girdwood Airport, Girdwood, about 1145. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 8, the pilot said he was practicing ridge top landings. During his last landing, he made his approach perpendicular to the ridge. During his final descent he turned the helicopter parallel to the ridge line. The helicopter descended faster then normal, and landed hard on the ridge. The main rotor struck the tail boom. Upon exiting the helicopter, the pilot found that he had landed with a 15 knot tailwind. The pilot stated there were no visual wind indicators present during his approach, and that prior to the accident, there were no known mechanical problems with the helicopter. In a written statement, the pilot said he made half a dozen landings at various altitudes without incident. He performed out of ground effect hovers at several locations, and altitudes, checking the performance of the helicopter. His last landing was on a saddle about 4,600 feet, landing to the northeast. He said the approach was normal until he was 40 feet from, and 15 feet above, the point of intended landing. He noted his approach speed was less then 10 knots, and descent rate low. He said after he committed to the landing, his descent rate and forward speed increased dramatically. Despite his attempts to arrest the rate of descent, and the excessive forward speed, he landed hard on the saddle. Winds on the saddle were approximately 270 degrees at 12 knots, with gusts to 15 knots. He said he made all of his previous landings to the northeast because of the prevailing wind direction. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8316N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8316N), registered now, S/N 2480 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2480 - Airframe hours: 1142.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2l 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alpine Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 2001, 92.1 hours before - Departed: AQY, Girdwood, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,200 total, 300 in this make and model, 9,900 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 5 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020306003809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020306003809A), Mar 6, 2002: Robsin R22BETA, Girdwood, AK, No damage. (-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… ## Other investigations on N8316N (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ERA26LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA304), Aug 15, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N8316N), Miramar, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover, which resulted in the left skid contacting ground and a subsequent dynamic rollover. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 15, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54321. 521 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 446 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40156210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.