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NTSB Report
December 15, 1990 · Robinson R22 · N9073S
West Kingston, RI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
West Kingston, RI
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Tail Number
N9073S
Operator
Dr Charles F Samson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC91LA049
AFTER TAKING OFF FROM AN OPEN FIELD AND ESTABLISHING A CLIMB, THE LEFT PASSENGER TAIL ROTOR PEDAL RETAINING CLIP BECAME DISLODGED RESTRICTING PEDAL MOVEMENT IN THE ROBINSON R-22 HELICOPTER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER COULD MOVE THE RETAINING CLIP AS NEEDED TO ALLOW SOME TRAVEL IN THE PEDALS AND HE THOUGHT A SAFE LANDING COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED. ON FINAL APPROACH HE PUSHED HIS PEDALS AND THEY ONCE AGAIN JAMMED CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AND TILT LEFT. HE SAID THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN BUT CONTINUED TO TURN RIGHT AND THEN ROLLED. POST-CRASH INVESTIGATIONS ACHIEVED BY THE FAA SHOWED THAT BY APPLYING MINIMAL UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE TAIL ROTOR PEDAL, IT WOULD DISENGAGE AND ROTATE TO CAUSE MISALIGMENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE MALFUNCTION OF THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY.
Full Narrative
AFTER TAKING OFF FROM AN OPEN FIELD AND ESTABLISHING A CLIMB, THE LEFT PASSENGER TAIL ROTOR PEDAL RETAINING CLIP BECAME DISLODGED RESTRICTING PEDAL MOVEMENT IN THE ROBINSON R-22 HELICOPTER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER COULD MOVE THE RETAINING CLIP AS NEEDED TO ALLOW SOME TRAVEL IN THE PEDALS AND HE THOUGHT A SAFE LANDING COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED. ON FINAL APPROACH HE PUSHED HIS PEDALS AND THEY ONCE AGAIN JAMMED CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AND TILT LEFT. HE SAID THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN BUT CONTINUED TO TURN RIGHT AND THEN ROLLED. POST-CRASH INVESTIGATIONS ACHIEVED BY THE FAA SHOWED THAT BY APPLYING MINIMAL UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE TAIL ROTOR PEDAL, IT WOULD DISENGAGE AND ROTATE TO CAUSE MISALIGMENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R22
Tail NumberN9073S
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDr Charles F Samson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time11:30
Weather SourcePILO