Robinson R-22 accident near Hillsboro, Oregon, May 24, 1995
On May 24, 1995 at about 1:12 am local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N461H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hillsboro, Oregon (Hillsboro airport). 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 STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE HOVERING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDING WITH TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 1995 · about 1:12 am local time
- Place
- Hillsboro, Oregon · Hillsboro · map
- 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
- N461H · registry record · serial 1460
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE OPERATOR'S RAMP DUE TO INCREASING WINDS. DURING A LEFT PEDAL TURN, WHEN THE TAIL WAS POINTED INTO THE WIND, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO TURN. THE HELICOPTER THEN IMPACTED THE TAXIWAY SURFACE, COLLAPSING THE LEFT SKID AND ALLOWING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE SURFACE. THE STUDENT STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO WIND GUSTS.
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: 52 hours in all; 52 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 3 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:20 am from HIO
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.