Robinson R-22 Mariner accident near Merlin, OR
On May 23, 2002, a Robinson R-22 Mariner (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Merlin, OR. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 23, 2002
- Place
- Merlin, OR
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 Mariner · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 44.751°N, 123.041°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020529X00761
Official records · SEA02FA085
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 23, 2002, approximately 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Mariner, N2322Y, was substantially damaged after it collided with a phone line support cable and subsequently the terrain near Merlin, Oregon. The helicopter was registered to the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) aerial observation flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Grants Pass, Oregon, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. There was no fire and no report of ELT activation. A volunteer worker for the local public service group that organizes and manages the annual "Boatnik" festivities on Memorial Day weekend reported that the pilot had been hired to photograph the boat race events. The volunteer worker met the pilot and his wife on the morning of the accident at the Spalding Mill, located on the east side of Grants Pass. The pilot had brought the helicopter in on a trailer that morning and assembled it for flight at this site. About 1100, the volunteer worker and the pilot boarded the helicopter for the purpose of flying down the Rogue River corridor to survey the race course and to identify all bridges and wires along the route. The volunteer reported that they flew over the river at a low altitude, near or below treetops in the areas of interest to photograph during the race. The volunteer reported that he recalled seeing the set of high power lines that span the river
Probable cause
Clearance from a cable running perpendicular to a river was not maintained during low level cruise flight. A cable was a factor.
More accidents in OR
- Cessna T207A, Aug 21, 1986
- Piper PA-28-180, Sep 1, 1984
- Piper PA-28RT-201, Mar 12, 1984
- Piper PA 46-310P, Apr 7, 2017
- Cessna 172, Jun 23, 2012
Browse: Oregon · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
