# NTSB SEA92LA055: Robinson R-22 Beta, N2645W, Oxbow, OR, March 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1992, 16:15 local (Mar 7, 1992, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Oxbow, OR
- Coordinates: 44.98991, -116.870521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9899&lon=-116.8705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA055

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN OPERATING AT LOW ALTITUDE ALONG THE RIVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,static
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ROBINSON R22 BETA WAS ON THE 3RD LEG OF A CROSS COUNTRY FERRY FLIGHT FROM OREGON TO THE EAST COAST.  THE MULTI RATED, HIGH TIME PILOT HAD DEPARTED LEWISTON, IDAHO, AND PROCEEDED TO FLY DOWN THE SNAKE RIVER CANYON EN ROUTE TO BOISE, IDAHO.  WHILE CRUISING SOUTHBOUND DOWN THE RIVER GORGE, THE HELICOPTER'S TAILROTOR COLLIDED WITH A CABLE SPANNING THE RIVER AT AN ELEVATION OF 50 TO 60 FEET ABOVE THE WATER. THE ROTORCRAFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, IMPACT THE RIVER AND SINK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2645W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2645W-1992-08-20), registration cancelled 1992-08-20, S/N 0798 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22 BETA
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0798
- Airframe hours: 1997
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Helicolor, Inc.
- Registered owner: Helicolor, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1992, 14 hours before
- Departed: LWS, LEWISTON, ID
- Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19920306005269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920306005269A), Mar 6, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Oxbow, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tail rotor hit a cable while flying over river. Fell into water of snake river.

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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