# NTSB SEA01LA054: Robinson R22, N8362Q, Seattle, WA, February 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 2001, 14:31 local (22:31 UTC) - Place: Seattle, WA - Coordinates: 47.539318, -122.310775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5393&lon=-122.3108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Seattle FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51826/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA054 ## Probable cause Both pilots' exceedance of the proper descent rate during the autorotative descent. Factors included the helicopter's low altitude at maneuver initiation, the failure of both pilots to maintain the proper airspeed during the descent, and both pilots' delay in initiating remedial action. ## 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 - autorotation - attempted, flightcrew - altitude - low (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, flightcrew (contributing factor) - proper descent rate - exceeded, flightcrew (cause) - remedial action - delayed, flightcrew (contributing factor) - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilots attempted a 180-degree autorotation to touchdown from an entry airspeed of 70 knots and entry altitude of 300 feet above ground level (AGL). The instructor reported that halfway around the 180-degree turn, the helicopter's airspeed was 65 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) (the airspeed specified by the R22 Pilot's Operating Handbook for maximum glide distance), with rotor RPM in the normal operating range. The trainee reported that after establishing the proper turn rate, he noted that rotor RPM was in the normal range, but that the helicopter's airspeed had slowed to about 50 knots. The trainee reported that "Not more than a second later", he noted that "the rate of descent appeared to be higher than normal and the ground closer than expected" (the instructor reported he noted the rate of descent was "greater than normal for our proximity to the ground...[as] we were about to roll out of the turn.") The pilots reported that they attempted to recover, but that the helicopter then struck the ground and rolled onto its right side. No evidence of any pre-impact mechanical problems with the helicopter was found during post-accident examination. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 2001, approximately 1431 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N8362Q, registered to Rhoades Holdings Ltd. of Tacoma, Washington, and operated by Classic Helicopter Corporation of Seattle, Washington, collided with terrain on the airport at King County International Airport/Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, during a 14 CFR 91 instructional flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged in the accident. The two aircraft occupants were the commercial pilot-in-command (a certificated helicopter flight instructor) and a commercial pilot who was undergoing helicopter flight instructor training. The trainee received minor injuries, and the flight instructor/pilot-in-command was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions with winds variable at 5 knots were reported at Boeing Field at 1353, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight from Boeing Field. The pilots reported that the accident flight maneuver was intended as a 180-degree autorotation to touchdown from an entry airspeed of 70 knots and entry altitude of 300 feet above ground level (AGL). The instructor reported that halfway around the 180-degree turn, the helicopter's airspeed was 65 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) (the airspeed specified by the R22 Pilot's Operating Handbook for maximum glide distance), with rotor RPM in the normal operating range. The trainee reported that after establishing the proper turn rate, he noted that rotor RPM was in the normal range, but that the helicopter's airspeed had slowed to about 50 knots. The trainee reported that "Not more than a second later", he noted that "the rate of descent appeared to be higher than normal and the ground closer than expected" (the instructor reported he noted the rate of descent was "greater than normal for our proximity to the ground...[as] we were about to roll out of the turn.") The pilots reported that they attempted a recovery by applying right and aft cyclic (to roll out of the turn and initiate a flare), raising collective, and adding power, but that the helicopter then struck the ground and rolled onto its right side. The instructor reported that the helicopter struck the ground less than a second after the pilots initiated their attempt to recover from the situation. An FAA inspector who performed a post-accident on-scene examination of the helicopter reported that no mechanical abnormalities were reported by the flight crew, that flight control continuity was verified after the accident with only post-crash damage found in the tail rotor flight control system, and that engine controls were also found to be functional. The operator's accident report to the NTSB indicated that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8362Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8362Q-2002-01-23), registration cancelled 2002-01-23, S/N 2774, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-C1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-c1f) (registry code 41573, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2774 - Airframe hours: 2218.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Classic Helicopter Corp. - Registered owner: Rhoades Holding Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 14, 2001, 35.2 hours before - Departed: BFI, Seattle, WA - Airport: BFI, King County Intl/Boeing Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 18, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 2,200 total, 2,088 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 189 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 17, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 197 total, 188 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: BFI ## 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 20010227004159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010227004159A), Feb 27, 2001: Robsin R22, Seattle, WA, No damage. (-23) While performing practice touchdown autorotation to the west taxiway, the aircraft sustained a hard landing/rotor system sudden stoppage. Debris from the… ## Other investigations on N8362Q (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 SEA99LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA033), Feb 15, 1999: Robinson R-22 (N8362Q), Seattle, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The dual student's improper touchdown while drifting during a practice autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor (CFI) inadequate remedial action. 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. --- 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.