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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 8, 1994 · Robinson R-22B · N54BA

Stone Mountain, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Stone Mountain, GA
Aircraft
Robinson R-22B
Tail Number
N54BA
Operator
Beegle Phillip H Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA094

THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN LANDED IN A RESIDENTIAL CUL-DE-SAC. IT REMAINED PARKED THERE WHILE THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER ATE AT A NEARBY RESIDENCE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A TELEPHONE WIRE WAS LOCATED BEHIND, AND ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT. ON DEPARTURE, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE WIRE WHEN THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE TO BEGIN THE TRANSITION FROM A HOVER TO FORWARD FLIGHT. AFTER CONTACTING THE WIRE, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE BACK TO THE STREET. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, WHICH RESULTED IN SPREADING THE SKIDS AND BENDING THE HELICOPTER FRAME. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE TAIL ROTOR WAS MANGLED.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper vertical takeoff in that he allowed the helicopter to drift rearward, and his failure to maintain clearance from the wire.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 1994, about 1945 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22B, N54BA, collided with a telephone line during takeoff near Stone Mountain, Georgia. The helicopter was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, nor his passenger, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time. According to the pilot, the helicopter was landed on a street in a residential area. On departure from the landing site, the tail rotor contacted a telephone line which was located behind the helicopter, about 20 feet above the curb. The pilot said that the collision occurred when he lowered the nose of the helicopter to initiate the transition to forward flight. After the collision, directional problems were experienced with the helicopter and an autorotation was made back to the street, which resulted in a hard landing. A Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was not received from the operator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22B
Tail NumberN54BA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBeegle Phillip H Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data