Robinson R22 N7085K

Summary

On 2 December 2016 at about 21:00 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N7085K, operated by Bering Pacific Ranches Ltd., was involved in an accident near Unalaska, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 December 2016 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Unalaska, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

53.7850, -166.7097

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N7085K

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1999

Engines

1

Operator

Bering Pacific Ranches Ltd.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unalaska → Unalaska

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC17LA011

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during a precautionary landing in whiteout conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot of the helicopter stated that the purpose of the flight was to transport a telecommunications technician to a cattle ranch on an island. After departing from the airport, while flying overwater, the pilot observed a snow squall with near-zero visibility and decided to return to the airport. On the return trip, while flying in a mountainous valley, another snow squall moved into the area. He stated that due to the deteriorating flight conditions, he conducted a precautionary landing to remote, snow-covered terrain to wait for improved flight conditions. Once the squall passed, he continued to the airport. Several minutes later, another snow squall arrived, and the pilot decided to conduct another precautionary landing. During the landing sequence, the main rotor system downwash resulted in whiteout conditions, and the pilot was unable to recognize any topographical features. The main rotor blades impacted terrain and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.