Robinson Helicopter R22 accident near Unalaska, Alaska, December 2, 2016
On December 2, 2016 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1999 Robinson Helicopter R22, registered N7085K, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Unalaska, Alaska. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during a precautionary landing in whiteout conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2016 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Unalaska, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, built 1999 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N7085K · no longer on the register · serial 2923
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot of the helicopter stated that the purpose of the flight was to transport a telecommunications technician to a cattle ranch on an island. After departing from the airport, while flying overwater, the pilot observed a snow squall with near-zero visibility and decided to return to the airport. On the return trip, while flying in a mountainous valley, another snow squall moved into the area. He stated that due to the deteriorating flight conditions, he conducted a precautionary landing to remote, snow-covered terrain to wait for improved flight conditions. Once the squall passed, he continued to the airport. Several minutes later, another snow squall arrived, and the pilot decided to conduct another precautionary landing. During the landing sequence, the main rotor system downwash resulted in whiteout conditions, and the pilot was unable to recognize any topographical features. The main rotor blades impacted terrain and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of visual reference during landing defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing
- Roll over during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Snowy/icy terrain › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Whiteout › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,940 hours in all; 943 in this make and model; 185 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 1,800 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 23, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,726.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 12, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 3,777 hours total
- Operator: Bering Pacific Ranches Ltd.
The flight
- Departed from: DUT Unalaska AK
- Destination: Unalaska AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 9:00 pm from PADU, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 31, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.