Robinson R-22 accident near Whittier, Alaska, August 2, 1994
On August 2, 1994 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N2622M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Whittier, Alaska. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM. FACTORS WERE THE RAVINE AND THE TAILWIND.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 1994 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Whittier, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · all R-22s on the register
- Registration
- N2622M · registry record · serial 735M
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT ENTERED AN OUT OF GROUND EFFECT HOVER OVER A RAVINE DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE AND HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE WITH COLLECTIVE. THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECAY AND HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO ATTAIN TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE IN WHICH TO RECOVER SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE RAVINE. DURING THE DESCENT THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE RAVINE'S WALLS. THE PILOT NOTED A 3 TO 4 KNOT TAILWIND AFTER THE CRASH.
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, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,450 hours in all; 1,385 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 1,350 as pilot in command; 885 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,492 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 10, 1993; 413 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Pollux Aviation, LTD
The flight
- Departed from: MRI Anchorage AK at 4:30 pm
- Destination: CDV Cordova AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 0.2 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.