# NTSB CHI92LA081: Robinson R-22B, N4046H, Minneapolis, MN, January 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1992, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 45.160377, -93.250724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1604&lon=-93.2507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA081

## Probable cause

A MISJUDGED AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING RUN ON LANDINGS AND SIMULATED FORCED LANDINGS WITH AN AUTOROTATION AND A POWER RECOVERY. DURING ONE SUCH APPROACH HE SAID HE MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND FLIGHT PATH, AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK WITH THE TAIL ROTOR, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4046H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4046H-2000-04-05), registration cancelled 2000-04-05, S/N 1651 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22B
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1651
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wilkes, Clyde H.
- Registered owner: K. Alderman/M. Pinsky
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1991, 796 hours before
- Airport: ANE, Anoka County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,439 total, 230 in this make and model, 2,238 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 25 °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 19920125050269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920125050269A), Jan 25, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. During practice autorotation flare tail rotor struck a snowbank. Was able to set down without further damage.

## Other investigations on N4046H (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 MIA99LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA070), Jan 30, 1999: Robinson R22 (N4046H), Pompano Beach, FL, destroyed. Probable cause: The CFI's decision not to follow procedures and directives (initiate a go-around/power recovery) during a simulated 180 autorotation resulting in a hard landing and in flight collision with terrain.

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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