Robinson R22 N8362Q

Summary

On 27 February 2001 at about 22:31 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N8362Q, operated by Classic Helicopter Corp., was involved in an accident near Seattle, Washington, 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

27 February 2001 at 22:31

Classification

Accident

Location

Seattle, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

King County Intl/Boeing Field (BFI)

Coordinates

47.5393, -122.3108

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N8362Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Classic Helicopter Corp.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Seattle → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA01LA054

1 person had minor injuries.

Both pilots' exceedance of the proper descent rate during the autorotative descent. Factors included the helicopter's low altitude at maneuver initiation, the failure of both pilots to maintain the proper airspeed during the descent, and both pilots' delay in initiating remedial action.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilots attempted a 180-degree autorotation to touchdown from an entry airspeed of 70 knots and entry altitude of 300 feet above ground level (AGL). The instructor reported that halfway around the 180-degree turn, the helicopter's airspeed was 65 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) (the airspeed specified by the R22 Pilot's Operating Handbook for maximum glide distance), with rotor RPM in the normal operating range. The trainee reported that after establishing the proper turn rate, he noted that rotor RPM was in the normal range, but that the helicopter's airspeed had slowed to about 50 knots. The trainee reported that "Not more than a second later", he noted that "the rate of descent appeared to be higher than normal and the ground closer than expected" (the instructor reported he noted the rate of descent was "greater than normal for our proximity to the ground...[as] we were about to roll out of the turn.") The pilots reported that they attempted to recover, but that the helicopter then struck the ground and rolled onto its right side. No evidence of any pre-impact mechanical problems with the helicopter was found during post-accident examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.