# NTSB SEA85LA129: Robinson R22, N8490D, Port Orchard, WA, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1985, 20:30 local (Jun 9, 1985, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Orchard, WA
- Coordinates: 47.539459, -122.580978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5395&lon=-122.5810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) WITH ONLY 358 HRS TOTAL FLT TIME WAS DEMONSTRATING AN AUTOROTATION WITH A POWER RECOVERY. DURING THE RECOVERY, THE CFI FAILED TO FULLY REGAIN RPM & THE HELICOPTER SETTLED TO THE SURFACE. WITH A LOW ROTOR RPM, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS & THE HELICOPTER TURNED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH FORWARD MOVEMENT & RIGHT YAW, THEN ROLLED OVER. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTH AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8490D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8490D), registered now, S/N 0403, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 403
- Airframe hours: 1060
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Classic Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 0S8
- Destination: OS8
- Airport: 0S8, Port Orchard

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 358 total, 215 in this make and model, 279 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °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 19850608023689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850608023689A), Jun 8, 1985: Robsin R22ALPHA, Port Orchard, WA, Substantial damage. The helicopter hit the ground during practice autorotations. The instructor failed to maintain rotor speed.

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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