# NTSB SEA99LA026: Robinson R-22, N605HA, Hillsboro, OR, January 6, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1999, 16:04 local (Jan 6, 1999, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.579902, -122.910339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5799&lon=-122.9103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA026

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was practicing set downs (landings) on the compass rose and that the last set down was 'a little hard, but not too hard.'  He then stated that the helicopter momentarily become airborne and then collided with the ground.  The tail rotor struck the ground first, followed by the main skids.  No evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On January 5, 1999, about 1604 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R-22, N605HA, registered to and operated by Hillsboro Aviation, was substantially damaged after a hard landing at the Hillsboro Airport, Hillsboro, Oregon.  The aircraft was being operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 training flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local training flight.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured.  The flight originated from the Hillsboro Airport approximately 35 minutes prior to the accident.  There was no fire, and no report of an ELT actuating.

The pilot stated that he was practicing set downs (landings) on the compass rose and the last set down was "a little bit harder than the others, but not too hard."  He then stated that the helicopter momentarily became airborne and then collided with the ground.  The tail rotor struck the ground first, followed by the main skids.

An FAA inspector from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office inspected the helicopter after the accident and reported that there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N605HA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N605HA), registered now, S/N 0439 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0439
- Airframe hours: 8572
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hillsboro Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 9, 1998, 59 hours before
- Departed: HIO, OR
- Airport: HIO, Hillsboro

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 61 total, 61 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19990105009779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990105009779A), Jan 5, 1999: Robsin R22ALPHA, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. (.19)On January 5, 1999, about 1604 pacific standard time, a Robinson R-22, N605HA, registered to and operated by Hillsboro aviation, was substantially damaged…

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.