Bell XV-15 301 N702NA

Summary

On 20 August 1992 at about 16:03 local time, a Bell XV-15 301 registered N702NA, operated by Bell Helicopter Textron, was involved in an accident near Arlington, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 August 1992 at 16:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Arlington, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Arlington Muni (F54)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell XV-15 301

Registration

N702NA

Category

Unknown

Engines

2

Operator

Bell Helicopter Textron

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW92FA215

2 people had minor injuries.

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A DISCONNECTED PROPROTOR GOVERNOR LINKAGE.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT OF THE TILTROTOR AIRCRAFT, THE LEFT PROPROTOR GOVERNOR DISCONNECTED DUE TO A MISSING SAFETY ON THE CASTELLATED NUT THAT SECURES THE PROPROTOR TO THE GOVERNOR LINKAGE. WHEN THE GOVERNOR DISCONNECTED, THE PROPELLER SURGED TO THE MAXIMUM PITCH SETTING AND ROLLED THE AIRCRAFT AROUND THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS. FLIGHT DATA RECORDINGS INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A ROLL TO THE RIGHT THAT BEGAN SLOWLY AND ACCELERATED TO THE INVERTED POSITION IN LESS THAN 3 SECONDS. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND INVERTED. NEITHER OCCUPANT COULD EGRESS WITHOUT ASSISTANCE DUE TO INCONSISTENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMERGENCY EGRESS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.