Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Forest Grove, OR
On September 20, 2009, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Forest Grove, OR. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 20, 2009
- Place
- Forest Grove, OR
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 45.810°N, 123.178°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090920X34134
Official records · WPR09FA459
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 20, 2009, about 1309 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N956SH, collided with terrain near Forest Grove, Oregon. Hillsboro Aviation, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the commercial licensed pilot under instruction (PUI) sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage from impact forces and a post crash fire. The local instructional flight departed Hillsboro, Oregon, at 1204. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The operator reported that the PUI was preparing for a CFI check ride, and was in the left seat. The two airmen were going to practice autorotations with power recoveries. A witness with helicopter experience reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he observed several uneventful autorotations, and then stopped watching. Another witness reported to the FAA that he heard a bang. These witnesses then observed the helicopter descending upright with the left skid low. Another witness reported to law enforcement that he observed the helicopter flying overhead, and it appeared to be out of control. The front of the helicopter dropped down towards the ground, and it appeared to tumble or flip. It disappeared behind trees, and he observed a big fire ball. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Certified Flight Instructor A review of FAA airman records revealed that the 34-year-old CFI held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for rotorcraft-heli
Probable cause
The flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed while maneuvering, which resulted in a main rotor blade stall and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.
More accidents in OR
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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.
