# NTSB ANC88LA150: Robinson R22HP, N9076D, Mekoryuk, AK, June 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1988, 16:00 local (Jun 17, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Mekoryuk, AK
- Coordinates: 60.369941, -166.269348 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3699&lon=-166.2693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA150

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - tundra (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS HERDING REINDEER FOR A NATIVE CORPORATION AND HE AND HIS PASSENGER HAD TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES SO THEY LANDED ON THE TUNDRA AND LEFT THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE AND ROTORS OPERATING. AS THEY WERE EXITING THE HELICOPTER, IT SHIFTED ON THE TUNDRA AND THE TAILBOOM WAS FORCED UPWARD INTO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE TAILBOOM, TAILROTOR, AND MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9076D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9076D-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 0255, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22HP
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0255
- Airframe hours: 1348
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Donald C. Olson
- Registered owner: William Munz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NUNIVAK ISLAND, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880616047089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880616047089A), Jun 16, 1988: Robsin R22, Merkoryuk, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot and passenger exited helicopter with engine at idle. Tail rotor hit ground main rotor. Chopped off tailboom.

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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