Robinson R22 BETA accident near Kent, Washington, April 6, 1991
On April 6, 1991 at about 7:24 pm local time, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter), registered N24176, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kent, Washington. It was an instructional 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 REMEDIAL ACTION TO CORRECT THE IMMINENT DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND LACK OF TOTOAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 6, 1991 · about 7:24 pm local time
- Place
- Kent, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N24176 · no longer on the register · serial 0563
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS PRACTIICNG HOVER TO LANDING MANEUVERS. DURING THE LANDING, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE HELICOPTER'S ATTITUDE WAS TITLED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED RIGHT CYCLIC TO STABILIZE THE HOVER. HOWEVER, THE LEFT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO ROLL TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHAANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF 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: student
- Flight time: 27 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BFI Seattle WA at 6:20 pm
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,300 ft; scat at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 6:53 pm from BFI, 5 miles away
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.
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.