# NTSB SEA89LA167: Robinson R22, N8034J, Kent, WA, September 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1989, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Kent, WA
- Coordinates: 47.80096, -122.280715 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8010&lon=-122.2807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41075
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41075/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA167

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO TAKE TIMELY CORRECTIVE ACTION TO RECOVER FROM A LOW ROTOR RPM CONDITION, RESULTING IN IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - collective - improper use of, dual student (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON TAKEOFF AT 300 FT AGL, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PRESOLO STUDENT DID NOT LOWER THE COLLECTIVE TO ENTER AUTOROTATION, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ROTOR RPM. THE CFI INITIATED REMEDIAL ACTION TOO LATE TO AVOID IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE ACFT IMPACTED AT 40 KTS, FRACTURING THE LANDING GEAR, AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. THIS WAS THE CFI'S FIRST FLT WITH THIS STUDENT WHO HAD 20 HRS FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8034J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8034J-1992-01-14), registration cancelled 1992-01-14, S/N 1051 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1051
- Airframe hours: 371
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Classic Helicopters
- Registered owner: Karen L Walling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 23, 1989, 71 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,670 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 2,510 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI, 5 nm away

## 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 19890909034319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890909034319A), Sep 9, 1989: Robsin R22, Kent, WA, Destroyed. Student failed to lower collective when CFI cut power for practice forced landing. Impacted hard and rolled over.

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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