# NTSB SEA89LA144: Robinson R22, N933CB, Brinnon, WA, July 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1989, 17:00 local (Jul 31, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Brinnon, WA
- Coordinates: 47.690334, -122.990135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6903&lon=-122.9901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. THE HELICOPTER SKID CONTACTED THE WATER AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF CLEARANCE ABOVE THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT FELT A LOW FREQUENCY VIBRATION AND OPTED TO INITIATE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DUE TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, THE PILOT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT OVER GLASSY WATER TO LAND ON A BEACH AREA. THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE DISTANCE ABOVE THE WATER RESULTING IN THE LEFT SKID CONTACTING THE WATER FIRST. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND STOPPED AND THE HELICOPTER SETTLED SOFTLY IN THE WATER AND SANK. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N933CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N933CB-2017-06-15), registration cancelled 2017-06-15, S/N 1191, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1083
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brown, Charlie L.H.
- Departed: FOX ISLAND, WA
- Destination: HAMMA HAMMA, WA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 246 total, 103 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890730029979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890730029979A), Jul 30, 1989: Robsin R22, Brinnon, WA, Destroyed. Felt vibration en route elected to land on a beach but pilot misjudged height. A skid hit the water. Helicopter sank

## Other investigations on N933CB (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 CHI03LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA182), Jun 25, 2003: Robinson R-22 Beta (N933CB), Dexter, MO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the wires during the aerial application flight. Factors contributing to the accident were the helicopter's low altitude…

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.