Probable cause
The student pilot's decision to hover-taxi behind a jet, resulting in the helicopter encountering jet wash and rolling over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he was returning to his home airport when the accident occurred. On final approach, the pilot noted another helicopter was at the parking area, so he altered his course towards taxiway "A" and finished his approach coming to a hover about 3 to 5 feet above the ground. He then commenced to hover-taxi to his parking spot. The student pilot stated that in order to reach his intended parking spot he would have to pass behind an Embraer jet that was holding short of the runway. The pilot reported that he was not expecting the jet blast produced by the turbine engines, and as the helicopter passed behind the airplane, it yawed to the left and rolled onto its side, impacting the ground. According to witnesses, the accident helicopter passed about 30 feet behind the jet at an altitude of about 3 feet above the ground.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10CA478 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 30, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Portland, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Portland-Hillsboro Airport (HIO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson R22
- N-number
- N856HA
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.