Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Hillsboro, Oregon, June 19, 2010
On June 19, 2010 at about 3:45 am local time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N2548S, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Hillsboro, Oregon (Portland-Hillsboro airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power while on approach for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2010 · about 3:45 am local time
- Place
- Hillsboro, Oregon · Portland-Hillsboro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N2548S · no longer on the register · serial 0607
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the pilot was approaching the destination airport after a local flight, the helicopter's engine rpm began to fluctuate between 100 percent and 60 percent. Although lowering the collective and manipulating the throttle temporarily increased the rpm, it began to fluctuate again, with the rpm decreasing. After the low rotor rpm warning horn and light activated, the pilot made the decision to perform an autorotation to a nearby open field. The helicopter touched down on the skids and subsequently rolled over onto its side. Prior to the accident, the helicopter's engine had been reportedly experiencing rpm fluctuations. A postaccident examination was performed on the engine and the magnetos and governor underwent further analysis. No evidence was found of an anomaly or malfunction that would have prevented the engine from producing normal power.
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 engine power (partial) during approach defining event
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Malfunction
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 86 hours in all; 86 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 21 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 27, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,695 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 20, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hillsboro Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: KHIO Hillsboro OR at 3:07 am
- Destination: KHIO Hillsboro OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.17 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.