Robinson R-22B accident near Knightdale, NC
On September 28, 1994, a Robinson R-22B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Knightdale, NC. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 28, 1994
- Place
- Knightdale, NC
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.789°N, 78.479°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X02173
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 28, 1994, at 0947 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22B helicopter, N83112, collided with the ground after the main rotor system struck the tail boom of the helicopter near Knightdale, North Carolina. The business flight operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditionsprevailed at the time and location of the accident. The helicopter was destroyed during the inflight breakup sequence and a post impact fire; the pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Raleigh East Airport in Knightdale, North Carolina, at 0945 hours. According to the President of Raleigh Helicopters, the pilot arrived at Raleigh East Airport at 0800. There are no records of the pilot receiving a weather briefing. According to witnesses at the airport, the airport fogged in when the pilot arrived. The flight was delayed until visual weather conditions prevailed. According to witnesses at the airport, the takeoff and initial climbout were normal, but a minute into the departure, they heard the pilot of N83112 transmit in an excited voice, "Hey! I've got a..". No other radio transmissions were heard. Eyewitnesses, located 1/2 mile east of the accident site, recalled seeing the helicopter as it flew west at an altitude between 200 and 300 feet above the ground. They stated that the helicopter appeared to "fishtail", and a sputtering sound was also heard coming from the helicopter. The witnesses continued to observe the helicopter until it disappeared into the 80 foot tall trees; seconds later, a fireball was seen rising from
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.
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Browse: North Carolina · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
