# NTSB SEA89LA172: Robinson R22 Beta, N358JS, Hillsboro, OR, September 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1989, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.579814, -122.910614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5798&lon=-122.9106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGING ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, maneuvering
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, maneuvering
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload
- Roll over, maneuvering

## Analysis

WHILE DEMONSTRATING A 180 DEGREE AUTOROTATION, THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TOO RAPIDLY. THE INSTRUCTOR TRIED TO CUSHION THE IMPACT, HOWEVER, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE GROUND FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE SKIDS. THE LEFT SKID COLLAPSED AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N358JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N358JS-1990-07-16), registration cancelled 1990-07-16, S/N 0628 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22 BETA
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0628
- Airframe hours: 1253
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hillsboro Helicopter
- Registered owner: Stubblefield, Jerry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1989, 35 hours before
- Airport: H10, Portland-Hillsboro, runway 30, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 818 total, 581 in this make and model, 712 as pilot in command, 209 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890914034879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890914034879A), Sep 14, 1989: Robsin R22BETA, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. Demo 180 degree autorotation. Descent too fast added power and collective too late. Collapsed skid. 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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