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NTSB Report
December 20, 1985 · Robinson R22A · N8488H
Grand Rapids, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Aircraft
Robinson R22A
Tail Number
N8488H
Operator
John Veldman
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI86FEM03
THE PLT REPORTED HE FLEW INTO THE WOLVERINE POWER PLANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PICKING UP A PASSENGER TO WHOM HE WAS TO DEMONSTRATE THE HELICOPTER'S ABILITY TO SURVEY POWER LINES. HE CONTINUED TO REPORT, SHORTLY AFTER LANDING DURING NORMAL ENGINE SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES THE INTENDED PASSENGER WALKED INTO THE SPINNING TAIL ROTOR. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PASSENGERPULL THE HOOD ON HIS PARKA OVER HIS HEAD AND WALK TOWARD THE HELICOPTER WITH HIS HEAD DOWN. THE TERRAIN WAS SNOW COVEREDAT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER FLEW IN THE HELICOPTER WITH THIS SAME PLT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND REPORTEDLY WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROPER BOARDING PROCEDURE. THE PLT ALSO STATED HE WARNED THE PASSENGER ABOUT THE TAIL ROTOR.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED HE FLEW INTO THE WOLVERINE POWER PLANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PICKING UP A PASSENGER TO WHOM HE WAS TO DEMONSTRATE THE HELICOPTER'S ABILITY TO SURVEY POWER LINES. HE CONTINUED TO REPORT, SHORTLY AFTER LANDING DURING NORMAL ENGINE SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES THE INTENDED PASSENGER WALKED INTO THE SPINNING TAIL ROTOR. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PASSENGERPULL THE HOOD ON HIS PARKA OVER HIS HEAD AND WALK TOWARD THE HELICOPTER WITH HIS HEAD DOWN. THE TERRAIN WAS SNOW COVEREDAT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER FLEW IN THE HELICOPTER WITH THIS SAME PLT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND REPORTEDLY WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROPER BOARDING PROCEDURE. THE PLT ALSO STATED HE WARNED THE PASSENGER ABOUT THE TAIL ROTOR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:40 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R22A
Tail NumberN8488H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn Veldman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point9 C / 3 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:12
Weather SourceWFAC