Robinson R22 N9072N
9 August 1990 · Ellensburg, Washington, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 9 August 1990 at about 22:00 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N9072N, operated by Skybal Inc., was involved in an accident near Ellensburg, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Ellensburg, Washington, United States
- Coordinates
- 46.9697, -120.4694
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22
- Registration
- N9072N
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Skybal Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA90LA157
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT DID NOT ADEQUATELY LEVEL OFF THE HELICOPTER AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS OVER A CORN FIELD. AT THE END OF THE FIELD, THE PILOT BEGAN A CLIMB TO 200 FEET AGL THEN A RIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN. APPROXIMATELY THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY THROUGH THE TURN, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS LOSING TOO MUCH ALTITUDE. THE HELICOPTER WAS LEVELED, HOWEVER, THE RIGHT SKID COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Apr 1990 | Robinson R22 | Mammoth Lakes, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 May 1990 | Robinson R22 | Irvine, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 May 1990 | Robinson R22 | Corona, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Sep 1990 | Robinson R22 | Albany, Texas, United States | Lange Helicopters, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 May 1990 | Robinson R22 BETA | Griffin, Georgia, United States | Management Counsel, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Mar 1990 | Robinson R22 | Phillipsburg, Ohio, United States | M. G. Helicopters | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jan 1990 | Cessna 177B | Friday Harbor, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 4 Feb 1990 | Bell 206B | Winthrop, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Mar 1990 | Bell BH-47G3B2 | Des Moines, Washington, United States | Richard H. Butz | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1990 | Cessna 140 | Vancouver, Washington, United States | Bogar, Floyd | No injuries | - |
| 12 Mar 1990 | Cessna 150J | Graham, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 12 Mar 1990 | Bell 206 | Cougar, Washington, United States | Bluebird Helicopter | No injuries | - |