# Accident 20160706020889A: Bell 525, Italy, TX, July 6, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 6, 2016, 11:48 local time
- Place: Italy, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.2461° N, 96.9197° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2461&lon=-96.9197&mi=10
- Aircraft: N525TA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N525TA-2017-12-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell Helicopter Textron 525 (registry code 1182127, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-525) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: GE CT7 series (registry code 30030, https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-ct7-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 525
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 3,000 total, 167 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DCA16FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16FA199) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160706020889A

## Narrative

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

ON JULY 6, 2016, AT APPROXIMATELY 1148 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, AN EXPERIMENTAL BELL 525 HELICOPTER, REGISTRATION NUMBER N525TA, OPERATING UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91, EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLIGHT BREAK-UP AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN NEAR CHAMBERS CREEK, TEXAS.  THE CRASH RESULTED IN A POST IMPACT FIRE, DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT AND THE TWO PILOTS ONBOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED.  THE DEVELOPMENTAL AND RESEARCH FLIGHT ORIGINATED IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS AND WAS CONDUCTING TEST FLIGHTS.  VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 DCA16FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16FA199), Jul 6, 2016: Bell 525 (N525TA), Italy, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: A severe vibration of the helicopter that led to the crew's inability to maintain sufficient rotor rotation speed (Nr), leading to excessive main rotor blade flapping, subsequent main rotor blade…

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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