SEA95LA105

Factual narrative

On May 23, 1995, at 1812 Pacific daylight time, N461H, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, operated by Hillsboro Helicopters, Inc., Hillsboro, Oregon, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain after the student pilot lost directional control while hovering at the Hillsboro Airport. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, the student pilot was hovering the helicopter for proficiency. The student pilot stated that he was preparing to return to the operator's ramp because the wind was increasing, thus making it difficult for him to control the aircraft. During a left pedal turn, when the tail was pointed into the wind, he believed that a wind gust "... caught me off guard and swung the tail around quickly (weather vaning)..." The helicopter struck the ground on the left skid. The left skid collapsed and the tail rotor struck the ground. No mechanical malfunctions were reported. THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE OPERATOR'S RAMP DUE TO INCREASING WINDS. DURING A LEFT PEDAL TURN, WHEN THE TAIL WAS POINTED INTO THE WIND, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO TURN. THE HELICOPTER THEN IMPACTED THE TAXIWAY SURFACE, COLLAPSING THE LEFT SKID AND ALLOWING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE SURFACE. THE STUDENT STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO WIND GUSTS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12