Robinson R-22 N2622M
2 August 1994 · Whittier, Alaska, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 2 August 1994 at about 22:30 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N2622M, operated by Pollux Aviation, Ltd, was involved in an accident near Whittier, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was 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 22:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Whittier, Alaska, United States
- Coordinates
- 60.8499, -148.0303
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22
- Registration
- N2622M
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Pollux Aviation, Ltd
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Ferry
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Anchorage → Cordova
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC94LA096
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM. FACTORS WERE THE RAVINE AND THE TAILWIND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT ENTERED AN OUT OF GROUND EFFECT HOVER OVER A RAVINE DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE AND HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE WITH COLLECTIVE. THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECAY AND HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO ATTAIN TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE IN WHICH TO RECOVER SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE RAVINE. DURING THE DESCENT THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE RAVINE'S WALLS. THE PILOT NOTED A 3 TO 4 KNOT TAILWIND AFTER THE CRASH.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Sep 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Benson, Arizona, United States | Same AS Registered Owner | No injuries | - |
| 23 Sep 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Chico, California, United States | Sierra Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jan 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Dorado | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jan 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Miami, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jan 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Naples, Florida, United States | London Helicoper Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 May 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Bunnell, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-18-150 | Gulkana, Alaska, United States | Maynard, Roger L. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-12 | Nondalton, Alaska, United States | Alaska Safari, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 13 Sep 1994 | Cessna 140 | Willow, Alaska, United States | Moore, Charles D. | No injuries | - |
| 15 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-18-150 | Port Alsworth, Alaska, United States | 4W Air | No injuries | - |
| 13 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-18 | Kodiak, Alaska, United States | Hulbert, Ward A. | No injuries | - |
| 19 Aug 1994 | Cessna 182B | Ketchikan, Alaska, United States | Charlton, Albert J. | No injuries | - |