Robinson R-22B N83112
28 September 1994 · Knightdale, North Carolina, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 28 September 1994 at about 13:47 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N83112, operated by Raleigh Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Knightdale, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:47
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Knightdale, North Carolina, United States
- Nearest airport
- Raleigh East (W17)
- Coordinates
- 35.7895, -78.4791
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B
- Registration
- N83112
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Raleigh Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL94FA179
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
DIVERGENCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S) RESULTING IN ROTOR BLADE CONTACT WITH THE TAILCONE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE FLIGHT WAS DELAYED BECAUSE OF A FOG LAYER AT THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT, THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED WITHOUT INCIDENT. A MINUTE INTO THE FLIGHT THEY HEARD THE PILOT, ALSO A HELICOPTER CFI, SAY, 'HEY! I'VE GOT A...'. NO OTHER RADIO TRANSMISSIONS WERE HEARD. A WITNESS LOCATED NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE RECALLED WATCHING THE HELICOPTER FISHTAIL, AND HEARD A SPUTTERING SOUND COMING FROM THE HELICOPTER. RADAR DATA DEPICTED THE HELICOPTER AT 700 FT MSL, FLYING IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION, AND THEN REVERSE COURSE TO A WESTERLY HEADING, WITHIN 23 SECS OF COVERAGE. THE MAIN FUSELAGE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A WOODED AREA; OTHER DEBRIS FROM THE HELICOPTER WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA 800 FEET LONG AND 100 FEET WIDE. A POST IMPACT FIRE FURTHER DAMAGED THE AIRFRAME. EXAMINATION OF THE SEPARATED TAILCONE AND FUSELAGE COMPONENTS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF INFLIGHT MAIN ROTOR BLADE CONTACT; THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF MAST BUMPING.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22B accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States | Beegle, Phillip H., JR. | No injuries | - |
| 11 Nov 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Johnson City, Texas, United States | Mike Green | No injuries | - |
| 23 Mar 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Simi Valley, California, United States | Orbic Helicopter, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 22 Nov 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Rainbow Pacific Helicopters, L | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Nov 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Magnolia, Delaware, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 Aug 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Agua Dulce, California, United States | Peter Lowry | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Feb 1994 | Piper PA-24-250 | Kinston, North Carolina, United States | Shnur, Morris | No injuries | - |
| 5 Mar 1994 | Cessna 182RG | Concord, North Carolina, United States | Phillips, E. Rolland | No injuries | - |
| 5 Mar 1994 | Rutan RUTAN LONG EZ | Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Apr 1994 | Piper PA-24-180 | Boone, North Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Apr 1994 | Piper PA-28-180 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States | Collier, Stephen C. | No injuries | - |
| 15 Apr 1994 | Piper PA-28-140 | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |