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NTSB Report
March 4, 1992 · Robinson R22 · N8413Q
Maricopa, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Maricopa, AZ
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Tail Number
N8413Q
Operator
Wesley F Morris
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX92FA137
THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON FLAT DESERT TERRAIN ALONG A DIRECT COURSE LINE BETWEEN THE DEPARTURE & DESTINATION AIRPORTS. THE TAIL BOOM HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. DAMAGE WAS CONSISTENT WITH A LOW 'G' EVENT RESULTING IN A RAPID RIGHT ROLL & SUBSEQUENT MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CABIN. THE DESIGN STRENGTH OF THE TAIL CONE'S ATTACHMENT POINTS WAS EXCEEDED. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S PAPER ON LOW 'G' MAST BUMPING, BOTH LATERAL CONTROL AND DAMPING IN ROLL ARE PROPORTIONAL TO G-LOAD; IN A TWO G PULLUP THEY BOTH DOUBLE, AND IN A ZERO G PUSHOVER THEY BOTH GO TO ZERO. WHEN THEY ARE ZERO, THE PILOT HAS NO LATERAL CONTROL, AND THE HELICOPTER HAS NO DAMPING IN ROLL. THE PILOT WAS REPORTEDLY KEENLY AWARE THAT ONE SHOULD NOT PLACE THE R22 INTO A NEGATIVE 'G' SITUATION, OR EVEN A LOW 'G' SITUATION, AND WAS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE R22'S STRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS.
NTSB Probable Cause
DESTRUCTIVE MAST BUMPING FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S).
Full Narrative
THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON FLAT DESERT TERRAIN ALONG A DIRECT COURSE LINE BETWEEN THE DEPARTURE & DESTINATION AIRPORTS. THE TAIL BOOM HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. DAMAGE WAS CONSISTENT WITH A LOW 'G' EVENT RESULTING IN A RAPID RIGHT ROLL & SUBSEQUENT MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CABIN. THE DESIGN STRENGTH OF THE TAIL CONE'S ATTACHMENT POINTS WAS EXCEEDED. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S PAPER ON LOW 'G' MAST BUMPING, BOTH LATERAL CONTROL AND DAMPING IN ROLL ARE PROPORTIONAL TO G-LOAD; IN A TWO G PULLUP THEY BOTH DOUBLE, AND IN A ZERO G PUSHOVER THEY BOTH GO TO ZERO. WHEN THEY ARE ZERO, THE PILOT HAS NO LATERAL CONTROL, AND THE HELICOPTER HAS NO DAMPING IN ROLL. THE PILOT WAS REPORTEDLY KEENLY AWARE THAT ONE SHOULD NOT PLACE THE R22 INTO A NEGATIVE 'G' SITUATION, OR EVEN A LOW 'G' SITUATION, AND WAS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE R22'S STRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:35 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R22
Tail NumberN8413Q
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWesley F Morris
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 9 kt, gusting 20 kt
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT