# NTSB SEA95LA065: Robinson R-22, N721HH, Hillsboro, OR, March 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 1995, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, OR - Coordinates: 45.579425, -122.909645 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5794&lon=-122.9096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42121/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA065 ## Probable cause THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DURING THE PRACTICE HOVER AUTOROTATION TO LANDING, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE DUAL STUDENT DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AN UNFAVORABLE WIND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Roll over, landing ## Analysis THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WERE PRACTICING HOVER AUTOROTATIONS ONTO THE GRASS. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST WHILE THE DUAL STUDENT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION ON AUTOROTATING TO LANDING FROM A HOVER ABOUT TWO FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR WERE ON THE CONTROLS AT THE TIME. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR USED FULL RIGHT CYCLIC TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT. THE HELICOPTER'S LEFT LANDING SKID STRUCK THE GROUND 'HARD' AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE SOUTH AT 15 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 1995, about 0945 Pacific standard time, N721HH, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, operated by Hillsboro Helicopters, Inc., Hillsboro, Oregon, impacted terrain and rolled over while landing in Hillsboro. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was to practice hover autorotations. Immediately prior to the accident, both the CFI and pre-solo student pilot were at the controls. The helicopter was "... into the wind [approximately] 18 - 24 inches above grass on level ground." The CFI further stated: Closed throttle to perform hover auto. Aircraft began to settle and drift left. Full right cyclic was applied as aircraft contacted ground hard with left skid. Collective was lowered and aircraft's momentum seemed to stop. [The helicopter] paused for a second and then continued over on left side. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, the helicopter rolled over onto its left side, causing substantial damage. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported. The wind conditions at the airport about five minutes after the accident were reported to be from 180 degrees at 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N721HH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N721HH), registered now, S/N 1484, built 1990 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1484 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hillsboro Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1995, 2 hours before - Airport: HIO, Portland-Hillsboro ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 640 total, 531 in this make and model, 603 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HIO ## 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 19950312003639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950312003639A), Mar 12, 1995: Robsin R22, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. During hover practice. Power off to autorotate. Impacted hard on left skid. Rolled over. Semi ground resonance also 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.