# NTSB CHI86FEM03: Robinson R22A, N8488H, Grand Rapids, MI, December 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1985, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Grand Rapids, MI
- Coordinates: 42.870216, -85.620079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8702&lon=-85.6201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13296
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13296/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEM03

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - clearance - not maintained, other person (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, other person (cause)
  - passenger briefing - not followed, other person (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE FLEW INTO THE WOLVERINE POWER PLANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PICKING UP A PASSENGER TO WHOM HE WAS TO DEMONSTRATE THE HELICOPTER'S ABILITY TO SURVEY POWER LINES. HE CONTINUED TO REPORT, SHORTLY AFTER LANDING DURING NORMAL ENGINE SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES THE INTENDED PASSENGER WALKED INTO THE SPINNING TAIL ROTOR. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PASSENGERPULL THE HOOD ON HIS PARKA OVER HIS HEAD AND WALK TOWARD THE HELICOPTER WITH HIS HEAD DOWN. THE TERRAIN WAS SNOW COVEREDAT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER FLEW IN THE HELICOPTER WITH THIS SAME PLT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND REPORTEDLY WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROPER BOARDING PROCEDURE. THE PLT ALSO STATED HE WARNED THE PASSENGER ABOUT THE TAIL ROTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8488H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0399
- Airframe hours: 480
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: John Veldman, doing business as John Veldman Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HLM, HOLLAND, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,180 total, 480 in this make and model, 6,900 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 5 nm away

## 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 19851220063369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851220063369A), Dec 20, 1985: Robsin R22ALPHA, Grand Rapids, MI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Passenger walked into tail rotor during attempt to board aircraft with idling rotors. Passenger had been briefed.

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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