# NTSB SEA93LA139: Robinson R-22, N80686, Snohomish, WA, June 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1993, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Snohomish, WA
- Coordinates: 47.939262, -121.999702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9393&lon=-121.9997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA139

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - open field
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PRACTICE AUTOROTATION MANEUVER, HE MISJUDGED THE DISTANCE TO FLARE AND THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT TRIED TO LEVEL THE HELICOPTER; HOWEVER, IT BEGAN TO SPIN AND HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER LANDED IN THE OPEN FIELD AND ROLLED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On June 26, 1993, at 1630 hours Pacific daylight time, the pilot of a Robinson R 22, N80686, was practicing autorotations near Snohomish, Washington, and collided with the terrain.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The helicopter was substantially damaged and the certificated private pilot was not injured.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that during the practice autorotation maneuver, he flared the helicopter too late and the tail rotor contacted the ground.  The pilot tried to level the helicopter, however, it began to spin and he was unable to maintain control.  The helicopter landed in the open field and rolled over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80686](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80686-1999-09-08), registration cancelled 1999-09-08, S/N 1280 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1280
- Airframe hours: 1107
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hickman, Tyrone A.
- Registered owner: Hickman, Tyrone A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1993, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 393 total, 371 in this make and model, 371 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °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 19930626020679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930626020679A), Jun 26, 1993: Robsin R22, Snohomish, WA, Substantial damage. During practice autorotations. Flared too late. Tail rotor hit ground. Spun around 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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