Sharp SCORPION TOO accident near Beckwourth, CA
On June 2, 1994, a Sharp SCORPION TOO (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Beckwourth, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 2, 1994
- Place
- Beckwourth, CA
- Aircraft
- Sharp SCORPION TOO · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.790°N, 120.461°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01556
NTSB summary
On June 2, 1994, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt experimental Sharp Scorpion Too helicopter, N288JS, sustained an in-flight separation of the tail rotor system and crashed about 1 mile west of Beckwourth, California. The helicopter was built, owned, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The helicopter was destroyed in the accident sequence. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from the Beckwourth airport on the day of the accident about 1230 as a presumed local area personal flight. Ground witnesses reported that the helicopter departed from the Beckwourth airport and was cruising about 200 feet agl when popping sounds were heard. The witnesses observed parts come off the helicopter, then it descended rapidly to ground impact. Information from individuals on the airport indicated this was the third flight of the day and that the builder/pilot may have been performing test flights. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Reno, Nevada, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that the tail rotor assembly was found about 90 yards from the main wreckage along with portions of a 'V' drive belt, apparently used to power the tail rotor. Color transfers similar to the drive belt material were found on the blades. The inspector was unable to determine the mode of failure of the drive belt. According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certi
Probable cause
the failure of the tail rotor 'V' drive belt for undetermined reasons and the subsequent failure and separation of the tail rotor.
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Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
