# NTSB SEA95LA124: Robinson R-22 Beta, N709JV, Renton, WA, June 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1995, 19:00 local (Jun 22, 1995, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Renton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.459674, -122.209129 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4597&lon=-122.2091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA124

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AN APPROACH WITH AN APPROXIMATE 30-45 DEGREE DESCENT ANGLE. THE PILOT STATED THAT 'THINGS WERE HAPPENING FAST,' AND THAT HE DID NOT FLARE THE HELICOPTER IN TIME TO AVOID A HARD LANDING.

## Factual narrative

On June 21, 1995, at 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N709JV, landed hard in an open field near Renton, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The helicopter was substantially damaged.  The flight had originated from the Renton Airport, Renton, Washington, at 1845.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he flew to the practice area to practice approaches, landings, and hovering maneuvers.  During the first approach, the pilot stated that "...things were starting to happen fast.  The only thing that I could think of was to land."  The helicopter landed hard, bounced and started to roll to the left, however, the main rotor blade contacted the ground and the helicopter righted itself.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Renton, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, reported that the pilot stated to him that a normal approach was made with an approximate 30-45 degree descent angle.  The pilot stated that he did not flare the helicopter in time and it landed hard.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N709JV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N709JV-1996-06-15), registration cancelled 1996-06-15, S/N 1509 (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: 1509
- Airframe hours: 1069
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Puget Sound Aviation
- Registered owner: US Bancorp Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 21, 1995, 2 hours before
- Departed: RNT, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 203 total, 35 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNT, 2 nm away

## 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 19950621034529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950621034529A), Jun 21, 1995: Robsin R22BETA, Renton, WA, Substantial damage. Became confused on practice autorotation landing. Flare was late. Landed hard. Bounced. Main rotor hit ground.

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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