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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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September 17, 1991 · Robinson R22 · N2306C

Lewisville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lewisville, TX
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Tail Number
N2306C
Operator
Airswell
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91LA162

DURING A DAY FERRY FLIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT EXPERIENCED BINDING OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON A LAKE. AFTER MOVING THE CONTROLS WHILE FLOATING ON THE SURFACE, THE BINDING WENT AWAY. AFTER HE TOOK OFF AGAIN, THE CONTROLS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO INPUTS AND BOUND UP. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED NUMEROUS PIECES OF HARDWARE, WASHERS, NUTS, AND COTTER KEYS ON THE DECK IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE TRANSMISSION AND BELOW THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE HELICOPTER HAD A TOTAL OF 20 HOURS SINCE NEW. NO SUBSEQUENT MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED.

NTSB Probable Cause

LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE INDUCED BINDING FLIGHT CONTROLS. A FACTOR WAS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.

Full Narrative

DURING A DAY FERRY FLIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT EXPERIENCED BINDING OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON A LAKE. AFTER MOVING THE CONTROLS WHILE FLOATING ON THE SURFACE, THE BINDING WENT AWAY. AFTER HE TOOK OFF AGAIN, THE CONTROLS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO INPUTS AND BOUND UP. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED NUMEROUS PIECES OF HARDWARE, WASHERS, NUTS, AND COTTER KEYS ON THE DECK IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE TRANSMISSION AND BELOW THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE HELICOPTER HAD A TOTAL OF 20 HOURS SINCE NEW. NO SUBSEQUENT MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22
Tail NumberN2306C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAirswell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 4 kt
Visibility13 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data