# NTSB SEA90LA157: Robinson R22, N9072N, Ellensburg, WA, August 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1990, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Ellensburg, WA
- Coordinates: 46.969696, -120.469367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9697&lon=-120.4694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT ADEQUATELY LEVEL OFF THE HELICOPTER AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS OVER A CORN FIELD. AT THE END OF THE FIELD, THE PILOT BEGAN A CLIMB TO 200 FEET AGL THEN A RIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN. APPROXIMATELY THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY THROUGH THE TURN, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS LOSING TOO MUCH ALTITUDE. THE HELICOPTER WAS LEVELED, HOWEVER, THE RIGHT SKID COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9072N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9072N-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 0211, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0211
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skybal Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 94 total, 85 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19900809031869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900809031869A), Aug 9, 1990: Robsin R22BETA, Ellensburg, WA, Substantial damage. Low pass over cornfield pulled up making steep turn lost altitude in turn leveled too late hit ground rolled over.

## Other investigations on N9072N (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 SEA82FYP03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYP03), Nov 5, 1981: Robinson R22 (N9072N), Rosalia, WA, substantial damage

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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