# Accident 20100409032079A: Bell 222U, Madera, CA, April 9, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 9, 2010, 01:30 local time
- Place: Madera, CA
- Airport: Santa Maria Pub/Capt G Allan H
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: STRA
- Location: 34.8989° N, 120.4575° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8989&lon=-120.4575&mi=10
- Aircraft: N222UT, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222UT-2019-04-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 222U (registry code 1182140, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222u) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming LTS-101 series (registry code 41560, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222U
- Reported engine: LYCOMING LTS-101 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 6,840 total, 80 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA200) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100409032079A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT FAILED TO REMOVE TAIL ROTOR SOCK BEFORE TAKEOFF AND DAMAGED TAIL ROTOR BLADE.  HE MADE THREE FLIGHTS BEFORE DISCOVERING THE DAMAGE TAIL ROTOR BLADE.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS TRUCKED BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR10LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA200), Apr 9, 2010: Bell 222U (N222UT), Santa Maria, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection to ensure that all tie-down straps were removed prior to flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper management of sleep opportunities…

## Other reports on N222UT (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20040928026719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040928026719A), Sep 28, 2004: Bell 222U (N222UT), Santa Rosa, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Calstar check airman, paul likens was conducting a 135.293 & 135.297 check, david harvey was the airman being checked. Paul likens rolled off the #1…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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