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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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February 8, 1986 · Robinson R-22 · N8557K

Mcalester, OK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mcalester, OK
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N8557K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW86LA044

THE PLT WAS HEARDING CATTLE WITH THE HELICOPTER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE WAS TRAVELING SLOW AND PARALLEL WITH A BARBED WIRE FENCE. HE HAD TO TURN TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID A TREE WHICH WAS DIRECTLY AHEAD OF THE ACFT. UPON MAKING THE TURN HE CAUGHT THE TAIL ROTOR IN THE FENCE AND TORE THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY OFF THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER THEN WENT INTO A SPIN. THE PLT CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER. THE TOUCHDOWN WAS HARD ENOUGH THAT THE FUSELAGE WAS SLIGHTLY WARPED DURING THE IMPACT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS HEARDING CATTLE WITH THE HELICOPTER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE WAS TRAVELING SLOW AND PARALLEL WITH A BARBED WIRE FENCE. HE HAD TO TURN TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID A TREE WHICH WAS DIRECTLY AHEAD OF THE ACFT. UPON MAKING THE TURN HE CAUGHT THE TAIL ROTOR IN THE FENCE AND TORE THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY OFF THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER THEN WENT INTO A SPIN. THE PLT CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER. THE TOUCHDOWN WAS HARD ENOUGH THAT THE FUSELAGE WAS SLIGHTLY WARPED DURING THE IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN8557K
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 165
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data