Event SEA99LA005

Factual narrative

On October 22, 1998, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22, N474BC, operated by Hillsboro Aviation as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with the ground and rolled over at the Scappoose Industrial Airpark, Scappoose, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that prior to his third solo flight, he flew around the traffic pattern twice before dropping his flight instructor off. The student stated that he then took off and remained in the traffic pattern. The student stated that as he was turning final to line up with the taxiway next to runway 15, he saw a Cessna aircraft on left base for runway 15. The student stated that he was positioned about mid-field over the taxiway, when he heard the Cessna report final approach. The student stated that he was worried about the Cessna and made a left 220 degree turn to check for the Cessna's location. The student stated that he applied too much left pedal and the helicopter turned 360 degrees. The student then tried to make a right 150 degree turn, however, he stated that he applied too much right pedal and the helicopter started to spin. The student stated that his altitude was about five feet above the ground and he tried to gain altitude by increasing the collective. The helicopter continued to spin, about five or six times, before the helicopter touched down and rolled over. The student pilot reported that during his first solo flight, he was turning final to line up with the taxiway next to the runway, when he saw a Cessna aircraft on left base for the runway. The student was positioned about mid-field, over the taxiway, when he heard the Cessna report final approach. The student stated that he was worried about the Cessna and made a left 220 degree turn to check for the Cessna's position. The student stated that he applied too much left pedal and the helicopter turned 360 degrees. The student then tried to make a right 150 degree turn, however, he applied too much right pedal and the helicopter started to spin. The student stated that his altitude was about five feet above the ground and he tried to gain altitude by increasing the collective. The helicopter continued to spin, about five or six times, before it touched down and rolled over. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12