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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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January 15, 1983 · Robinson R22 · N9079B

Sisseton, SD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 15, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Sisseton, SD
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Tail Number
N9079B
Operator
Wayne L Twitero
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN83FA049

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF IN ADVERSE WEATHER. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED ANDHAD RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFINGS BY TELEPHONE FROM A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. THE FORECAST WAS NOT FAVORABLE, BUT THE PILOTSTATED 'WELL I THINK I CAN GET OUT FROM UNDERNEATH IT WITH A HELICOPTER, NO PROBLEM.' THE PILOT TOOK OFF WHILE SEVERAL WITNESSES WATCHED. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED HIM WIPE CONDENSATION OFF THE INSIDE OF THE PLEXIGLASS TWICE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.AFTER TAKEOFF,WHICH THE AIRPORT MANAGER THOUGHT WOULD BE POSTPONED FOR WEATHER, THE HELICOPTER DISAPPEARED IN THE FOG ATA DISTANCE OF ABOUT ONE HALF MILE AND ALTITUDE OF 200 FT. THE WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT NOISE CHANGE FROM NORTHWEST TO NORTHEAST WHICH PUZZLED THEM. NO ONE HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE ACFT IMPACT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT ONE AND ONE- HALF MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT BY A FARMER, APRX TWO HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF IN ADVERSE WEATHER. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED ANDHAD RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFINGS BY TELEPHONE FROM A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. THE FORECAST WAS NOT FAVORABLE, BUT THE PILOTSTATED 'WELL I THINK I CAN GET OUT FROM UNDERNEATH IT WITH A HELICOPTER, NO PROBLEM.' THE PILOT TOOK OFF WHILE SEVERAL WITNESSES WATCHED. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED HIM WIPE CONDENSATION OFF THE INSIDE OF THE PLEXIGLASS TWICE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.AFTER TAKEOFF,WHICH THE AIRPORT MANAGER THOUGHT WOULD BE POSTPONED FOR WEATHER, THE HELICOPTER DISAPPEARED IN THE FOG ATA DISTANCE OF ABOUT ONE HALF MILE AND ALTITUDE OF 200 FT. THE WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT NOISE CHANGE FROM NORTHWEST TO NORTHEAST WHICH PUZZLED THEM. NO ONE HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE ACFT IMPACT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT ONE AND ONE- HALF MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT BY A FARMER, APRX TWO HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CST
Nearest AirportSISSETON (1nm NE)
Runway34
Runway Length2900 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22
Tail NumberN9079B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWayne L Twitero
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingOvercast 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data