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Casualties unknown

Aircraft Strikes Warehouse Roof After Rollover on Final Approach (N2631V)

Seattle, WA, US

On March 31, 1991, a Robinson R-22 BETA (registration N2631V) operated by Classic Helicopter Corp. was involved in an aviation accident near Seattle, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT BY THE PILOT DUE TO HIS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PREPARATION IN FAILING TO SECURE CARGO WHICH SHIFTED IN FLIGHT AND INTERFERED WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL STICK. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on VFR final approach at 100 ft AGL rolled over, descended uncontrolled, and crashed through a warehouse skylight. Rocks, hand tools, and a tree stump were found in the cabin, with the stump showing paint smears near the cyclic control stick.

Accident Sequence

The aircraft was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) final approach at an altitude of 100 feet above ground level (AGL) when it rolled over. It then entered an uncontrolled descent and struck the roof of a warehouse. The impact broke a skylight in the roof, and the aircraft fell through the resulting hole, coming to rest inside the warehouse.

Observed Debris in Cabin

Following the accident, an examination of the aircraft cabin revealed the presence of rocks, hand tools, and a large unsecured tree stump. The tree stump exhibited a fresh scar and black paint smears in the area adjacent to the cyclic control stick. The cyclic control stick was black in color. A screw head on the cyclic control stick was found to be filled with wood splinters.

Final Position

After breaking through the skylight, the aircraft came to rest on the interior floor of the warehouse. The roof damage consisted of the broken skylight through which the aircraft had fallen.

Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 Mar 1991 Robinson R-22 BETA accident near Seattle, WA?

An aircraft on VFR final approach at 100 ft AGL rolled over, descended uncontrolled, and crashed through a warehouse skylight. Rocks, hand tools, and a tree stump were found in the cabin, with the stump showing paint smears near the cyclic control stick.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 Mar 1991 involved a Robinson R-22 BETA, registration N2631V, operated by Classic Helicopter Corp., at Seattle, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT BY THE PILOT DUE TO HIS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PREPARATION IN FAILING TO SECURE CARGO WHICH SHIFTED IN FLIGHT AND INTERFERED WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL STICK.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16696. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.