Robinson R-22 N8353M

Summary

On 23 February 2002 at about 17:00 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N8353M, operated by Quicksilver Air, Inc., was involved in an accident near Fairbanks, 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.

Date

23 February 2002 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

64.6469, -147.7272

Aircraft

Robinson R-22

Registration

N8353M

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Quicksilver Air, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chena Marina → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC02LA017

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects while maneuvering. A factor associated with the accident is an undetermined object.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an animal herding practice, the pilot descended over trees and brush into a clearing. During the descent, he "felt a thump" at the rear of the helicopter. He landed the helicopter, and found that both tail rotor blades were damaged. He said his descent was well clear of the trees and brush. He said he believed a bird strike was responsible for the damage, but in his written statement he says, "... it is still unclear to me what contacted the tail rotor."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.