SEA95LA065

Factual narrative

On March 12, 1995, about 0945 Pacific standard time, N721HH, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, operated by Hillsboro Helicopters, Inc., Hillsboro, Oregon, impacted terrain and rolled over while landing in Hillsboro. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was to practice hover autorotations. Immediately prior to the accident, both the CFI and pre-solo student pilot were at the controls. The helicopter was "... into the wind [approximately] 18 - 24 inches above grass on level ground." The CFI further stated: Closed throttle to perform hover auto. Aircraft began to settle and drift left. Full right cyclic was applied as aircraft contacted ground hard with left skid. Collective was lowered and aircraft's momentum seemed to stop. [The helicopter] paused for a second and then continued over on left side. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, the helicopter rolled over onto its left side, causing substantial damage. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported. The wind conditions at the airport about five minutes after the accident were reported to be from 180 degrees at 15 knots. THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WERE PRACTICING HOVER AUTOROTATIONS ONTO THE GRASS. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST WHILE THE DUAL STUDENT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION ON AUTOROTATING TO LANDING FROM A HOVER ABOUT TWO FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR WERE ON THE CONTROLS AT THE TIME. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR USED FULL RIGHT CYCLIC TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT. THE HELICOPTER'S LEFT LANDING SKID STRUCK THE GROUND 'HARD' AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE SOUTH AT 15 KNOTS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12