Robinson R-22 BETA accident near Oxbow, Oregon, March 7, 1992
On March 7, 1992, a Robinson R-22 BETA (helicopter), registered N2645W, was destroyed in an accident near Oxbow, Oregon. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN OPERATING AT LOW ALTITUDE ALONG THE RIVER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 7, 1992
- Place
- Oxbow, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 BETA · all R-22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N2645W · no longer on the register · serial 0798
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ROBINSON R22 BETA WAS ON THE 3RD LEG OF A CROSS COUNTRY FERRY FLIGHT FROM OREGON TO THE EAST COAST. THE MULTI RATED, HIGH TIME PILOT HAD DEPARTED LEWISTON, IDAHO, AND PROCEEDED TO FLY DOWN THE SNAKE RIVER CANYON EN ROUTE TO BOISE, IDAHO. WHILE CRUISING SOUTHBOUND DOWN THE RIVER GORGE, THE HELICOPTER'S TAILROTOR COLLIDED WITH A CABLE SPANNING THE RIVER AT AN ELEVATION OF 50 TO 60 FEET ABOVE THE WATER. THE ROTORCRAFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, IMPACT THE RIVER AND SINK.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,997 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 17, 1992; 14 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Helicolor, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: LWS Lewiston ID at 11:30 pm
- Destination: BOI Boise ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.