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NTSB Report
March 14, 1983 · Robinson R-22 · N9024Z
St. Louis, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
St. Louis, MO
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N9024Z
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC83FA076
THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES FLYING AT 200-300 FEET ABOVE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. AS IT WOBBLED AND BUFFETED AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS SPINNING AND THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED SHORTLY FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION WITH A BLUEISH/WHITE SMOKE AND PIECES FLYING OFF AS IT FELL INVERTED. DURING THE FALL THE MAIN ROTOR SEPARATED AND WHAT WAS LEFT FELL INTO THE RIVER. A TUG BOAT RECOVERED SOME PAPERS, TWO CUSHIONS AND A WALLET BELONGING TO THE STUDENT PILOT. SEARCHING AND DRAGGING OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED FOR 4 DAYS WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS AND WERE TERMINATED. THE WRECKAGE AND BODIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOVERED.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES FLYING AT 200-300 FEET ABOVE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. AS IT WOBBLED AND BUFFETED AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS SPINNING AND THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED SHORTLY FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION WITH A BLUEISH/WHITE SMOKE AND PIECES FLYING OFF AS IT FELL INVERTED. DURING THE FALL THE MAIN ROTOR SEPARATED AND WHAT WAS LEFT FELL INTO THE RIVER. A TUG BOAT RECOVERED SOME PAPERS, TWO CUSHIONS AND A WALLET BELONGING TO THE STUDENT PILOT. SEARCHING AND DRAGGING OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED FOR 4 DAYS WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS AND WERE TERMINATED. THE WRECKAGE AND BODIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOVERED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN9024Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 20 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 8 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:20
Weather SourceWFAC