# Accident 20140919017779A: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Cahokia, IL, September 19, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 19, 2014, 10:15 local time
- Place: Cahokia, IL
- Airport: St Louis Downtown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.5694° N, 90.1703° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5694&lon=-90.1703&mi=10
- Aircraft: N115DD, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N115DD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360 series (registry code 41575, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN14LA517](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA517) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140919017779A

## Narrative

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

HELICOPTER WAS 9.1 HOURS OUT OF ANNUAL INSPECTION. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE CLUTCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON.  PILOT MADE AN IMMEDIATE LANDING IN A PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES FROM AIRPORT. WITH HELICOPTER RUNNING HE EXITED HELICOPTER AND LOOKED AT CLUTCH AREA, SAW NO PROBLEMS, AND DEPARTED ENROUTE BACK TO AIRPORT. DURING APPROACH TO AIRPORT AT 50 FT AGL THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND LOUD NOISES WERE COMING FROM REAR OF HELICOPTER. PILOT INITIATED AUTO-ROTATION AND AIRCRAFT SPUN APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES AFTER INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND (GRASS AREA NEXT TO RUNWAY).  MAIN ROTOR SEVERED TAILBOOM AND THERE WAS HEAVY DAMAGE TO ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION BELT AREA ALONG WITH COOLING FAN AND FAN DUCT. DRIVE BELTS WERE FOUND TO BE TANGLED UP IN DRIVE PULLEY AREA. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT A BOLT ATTACHING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN TO THE ENGINE DRIVE PULLEY SHAFT WAS LOOSE AND HAD CONTACTED THE DRIVE PULLEY BEARING. ADDITIONALLY THE DRIVE PULLEY BEARING DID NOT HAVE ANY LUBRICANT ON OR AROUND IT. THE DRIVE PULLEY BEARING FAILED, RESULTING IN SHAFT FAILURE.

## 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 CEN14LA517](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA517), Sep 19, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N115DD), Cahokia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s poor decision to take off with the clutch warning light illuminated, which resulted in the total failure of the fan assembly due to a lack of lubrication. Contributing to the accident was…

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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