# NTSB SEA04CA149: Robinson R-22, N8356R, Boise, ID, July 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2004, 23:15 local (Jul 29, 2004, 05:15 UTC) - Place: Boise, ID - Coordinates: 43.563056, -116.221389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5631&lon=-116.2214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59778 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59778/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA149 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to initiate a flare prior to contacting the ground while attempting to land the helicopter on a dark night. Factors include a distraction created by the flicker of a low rotor rpm light, the glare of nearby flood lights, and the lack of ambient illumination of the landing area. ## 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 - flare - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - light condition - other (contributing factor) - warning system(other) - activated (contributing factor) ## Analysis During his first approach the pilot noted that it was a very dark night, and that there were some brightly shining "flood lights" in his eleven o'clock position while he was on short final for landing. Even though the flood lights were "limiting" his vision, his first landing was successful. After the first landing, the pilot hovered near the touchdown point for a few minutes, and then was cleared by the tower to proceed around the pattern for another landing. When the pilot was on short final for the second landing, while the helicopter was still about 50 feet above the ground, he saw the low rotor rpm light flicker. He therefore reduced collective and checked the rpm gage, which showed that both the engine and rotor rpm were where they should be. Soon thereafter the helicopter impacted the runway surface. The flickering of the warning light, along with the pilot's glance at the rpm gage, caused him to momentarily be distracted, and that, along with the effect of the food lights and the dark night, resulted in him not seeing the ground in time to initiate a landing flare. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2004, approximately 2315 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N8356R, impacted the runway surface during a night landing at Boise Air Terminal, Boise, Idaho. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is operated by Silverhawk Aviation Academy, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 commercial maneuvers training flight, which departed Caldwell, Idaho, about 25 minutes prior to the accident, was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot was on a VFR flight plan. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice commercial maneuvers in order to gain proficiency in preparation for his commercial helicopter practical examination. During his first approach he noted that it was a very dark night, and that there were some brightly shining "flood lights" in his eleven o'clock position while he was on short final for landing. He said that even though the flood lights were "limiting" to his vision, the first landing was successful. After the first landing, the pilot hovered near the touchdown point for a few minutes, and then was cleared by the tower to proceed around the pattern for another landing. According to the pilot, while on short final for the second landing, with the helicopter still about 50 feet above the ground, he saw the low rotor rpm light flicker. He therefore reduced collective and checked the rpm gage, which showed that both the engine and rotor rpm were where they should be. Soon thereafter the helicopter impacted the runway surface. According to the pilot, the flickering of the warning light, along with his glance at the rpm gage, caused him to be momentarily distracted, and that, along with the effect of the food lights and the dark night, resulted in him not seeing the ground in time to initiate a flare. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8356R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8356R), registered now, S/N 2729, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2729 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Silverhawk Aviation Academy - Registered owner: Rick Carter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EUL, Caldwell, ID - Destination: BOI, Boise, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; private; medical: class 2; flight hours: 126 total, 54 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark ## 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 20040728016079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040728016079A), Jul 28, 2004: Robsin R22BETA, Boise, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was on a night solo flight from caldwell, ID (eul) to Boise, ID (boi). A VFR flight plan was filed with the boi fss. During his second approach… ## Other investigations on N8356R (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 WPR09CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA023), Oct 22, 2008: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N8356R), Temecula, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a simulated approach to landing under variable wind, and high density altitude conditions. 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.