Robinson R-22 MARINER N2322Y
23 May 2002 · Merlin, Oregon, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 23 May 2002 at about 22:30 local time, a Robinson R-22 MARINER registered N2322Y was involved in an accident near Merlin, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. 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 22:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Merlin, Oregon, United States
- Coordinates
- 44.7506, -123.0408
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 MARINER
- Registration
- N2322Y
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Observation
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Grants Pass → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA02FA085
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
Clearance from a cable running perpendicular to a river was not maintained during low level cruise flight. A cable was a factor.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Witnesses reported observing the helicopter traveling over the river at an altitude of about 50-100 feet above the water when it collided with an unmarked telephone line support cable. One of the witnesses reported that the engine rpm did not change until the helicopter collided with the cable. After striking the cable, the engine rpm slowed, but did not stop. The helicopter subsequently collided with the ground along the rivers edge and came to rest partially submerged along the bank. The width of the river at the accident site was approximately 75 yards wide. About 300 feet upstream of the main wreckage, two cables running perpendicular to the river were located. One of the two cables was broken and in the water. The other cable was intact, but not taut, and displayed a considerable droop. One end of the 1/8 in diameter cables was attached to a power pole near a restaurant. The other end traveled to the opposite side of the river and over upsloping terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 2002 | Robinson R-22 | Nome, Alaska, United States | Bering Air Inc | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 2002 | Robinson R-22 BETA | North Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Silver State Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 2002 | Robinson R-22 | Manassas, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 2002 | Robinson R-22 | Coral Springs, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jan 2002 | Robinson R-22 BETA | Silver City, Montana, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 2002 | Robinson R-22 | Louisburg, North Carolina, United States | Corporate Aviation Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jul 2002 | Rockwell 690A | Crescent Lake, Oregon, United States | Gisler, Patrick M | No injuries | - |
| 14 Nov 2002 | Piper PA-28-201T | La Grande, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jul 2002 | Piper PA-28 | Burns, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jun 2002 | Piper PA-16 | Umpqua, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Aug 2002 | Piper PA-18 | Newberg, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 2002 | Cessna 152 | Hillsboro, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |