Vuncannon ROTOWAY EXEC 152 N316FV

Summary

On 10 May 1991 at about 00:30 local time, a Vuncannon ROTOWAY EXEC 152 registered N316FV, operated by Floyd D. Vuncannon, was involved in an accident near Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 May 1991 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

35.8194, -90.6808

Aircraft

Vuncannon ROTOWAY EXEC 152

Registration

N316FV

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Floyd D. Vuncannon

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Truman → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

FTW91LA077

2 people were seriously injured.

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE LOOKOUT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES FOR SAFE OPERATION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

IN HIS INITIAL REPORTS THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN HE SAW WIRES IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT AND CLIMBED TO AVOID THEM. IN THOSE REPORTS, HE STATED THAT HIS SKIDS CAUGHT ON THE TOP WIRE AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED INVERTED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE INITIAL REPORTS DID NOT CONTAIN ANY INFORMATION REGARDING MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, ON HIS PILOT/OPERATOR ACCIDENT REPORT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEVELOPED A VIBRATION IN THE ROTOR SYSTEM AND THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WHEN HE STRUCK THE WIRES. THE WIRES WERE STRUCK, CONTROL WAS LOST, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.