Robinson R-22 accident near Nikolski, Alaska, October 30, 2007
On October 30, 2007 at about 3:00 am local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N185MH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Nikolski, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind gusts while maneuvering, which resulted in the tail rotor striking an undetermined object, and an emergency descent and landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the wind gusts, and the failure of the tail rotor system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 30, 2007 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- Nikolski, Alaska
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · all R-22s on the register
- Registration
- N185MH · no longer on the register · serial 0976
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The solo commercial certificated pilot was conducting a low pass over a beach looking for an appropriate landing spot for the helicopter under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. In a written statement, the pilot reported he was making a low pass over the landing area when a sudden gust of wind caused the helicopter to pitch up, and the tail rotor struck an unknown object. He reported that the helicopter yawed to the right, descended, and the skid struck the ground. According to the pilot, the helicopter came to rest upright, but sustained damage to the main rotor system, tail cone, and rotor mast, in addition to the tail rotor. He reported there were no known mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,857 hours in all; 1,662 in this make and model; 181 in the last 90 days; 92 in the last 30 days; 1,708 as pilot in command; 342 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,031 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, October 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Nikolski AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.28 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N185MH the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.