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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 25, 1982 · Robinson R-22 · N9072V

Nashville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Nashville, TN
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N9072V
Operator
Mr Hewett Taylor
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82FA285

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT BETWEEN 100 AND 500 FEET AGL AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN SLAPPING AND CRACKING SOUNDS WERE HEARD, FOLLOWED BY THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE HELICOPTER. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER 700 FT WITH THE TAILBOOM 200 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF MAIN ROTOR BLADE DIVERGENCE, MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKES TO THE TAILBOOM AND SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR MAST AT THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. A METALLURGIST'S EXAM OF THE PITCH CHANGE LINKS AND MAIN ROTOR BLADE FRACTURES REVEALED OVERSTRESS SEPARATIONS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT BETWEEN 100 AND 500 FEET AGL AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN SLAPPING AND CRACKING SOUNDS WERE HEARD, FOLLOWED BY THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE HELICOPTER. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER 700 FT WITH THE TAILBOOM 200 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF MAIN ROTOR BLADE DIVERGENCE, MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKES TO THE TAILBOOM AND SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR MAST AT THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. A METALLURGIST'S EXAM OF THE PITCH CHANGE LINKS AND MAIN ROTOR BLADE FRACTURES REVEALED OVERSTRESS SEPARATIONS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:12 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN9072V
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMr Hewett Taylor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 6 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:08

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Appendix: Source Data