# NTSB ANC06CA031: Robinson R22, N4038M, Anchorage, AK, February 22, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 22, 2006, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.213611, -149.844451
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2136&lon=-149.8445&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA031

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land the helicopter on an icy airport parking ramp, which resulted in a loss of control on touchdown, and subsequent collision with another parked and unoccupied helicopter.

## Analysis

The private pilot had completed a short cross-country Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight and was landing her helicopter at a designated helicopter parking area at a tower controlled airport.  She stated that she made two passes over the proposed landing area, and noted that it looked very icy and slick.  She did not see any other suitable landing area in the immediate vicinity, and elected to land about 50 feet from another helicopter.  Upon landing, she said her helicopter began to slide on the icy surface, skidding in a circular fashion towards a parked and unoccupied helicopter.  Her helicopter collided with the parked helicopter before she could stop the main rotor blades, resulting in substantial damage to her helicopter's main rotor blades.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot had completed a short cross-country Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight and was landing her helicopter at a designated helicopter parking area at a tower controlled airport.  She stated that she made two passes over the proposed landing area, and noted that it looked very icy and slick.  She did not see any other suitable landing area in the immediate vicinity, and elected to land about 50 feet from another helicopter.  Upon landing, she said her helicopter began to slide on the icy surface, skidding in a circular fashion towards a parked and unoccupied helicopter.  Her helicopter collided with the parked helicopter before she could stop the main rotor blades, resulting in substantial damage to her helicopter's main rotor blades.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4038M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4038M), registered now, S/N 1571M, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1571M
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barbara J. Doty
- Registered owner: Compass Rose, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Wasilla, AK
- Destination: MRI, Anchorage, AK
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 252 total, 153 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Observed at: MRI

## 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 20060222003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060222003289A), Feb 22, 2006: Robsin R22MARINER, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) After touchdown the helicopter skidded on the ice and struck N247W a bell 47 causing substantial damage to both helicopters.

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.

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