# NTSB SEA93LA064: Robinson R22 Beta, N4085M, Bend, OR, February 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1993, 09:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Bend, OR
- Coordinates: 43.980957, -121.269287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9810&lon=-121.2693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA064

## Probable cause

ROTOR RPM WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOW CEILING AND POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT TAKEOFF, THE CEILING WAS 350 FEET AGL AND VISIBILITY WAS TWO MILES. THE FLIGHT TOOK OFF AND HEADED NORTH AT AN ALTITUDE OF 250 FEET AGL, FOLLOWING A HIGHWAY. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE CEILING AND VISIBILITY DETERIORATED AND THE PILOT INITIATED A MEDIUM BANK TURN TO THE LEFT. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRSPEED DECLINED AND THE LOW ROTOR RPM HORN SOUNDED. THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE AND INCREASED COLLECTIVE. DUE TO THE CLOSENESS OF THE TREES, THE PILOT ESTABLISHED THE BEST RATE OF DESCENT AND 'MILKED' THE RPM FOR A LANDING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXECUTE THE PROPER POWER OFF LANDING PROCEDURE AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE SKIDS COLLAPSED AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4085M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4085M-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 1864, built 1991 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1864
- Airframe hours: 970
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Puget Sound Helicopter
- Registered owner: Briles Wing & Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 5, 1993, 11 hours before
- Departed: S21, SUN RIVER, OR
- Destination: TTD, TROUTDALE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 492 total, 433 in this make and model, 424 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °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 19930207001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930207001829A), Feb 7, 1993: Robsin R22BETA, Bend, OR, Substantial damage. Encountered low ceiling and visibility. Tried turn around. Too slow and low lost rotor RPM. Impacted road. Rolled.

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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