# NTSB ATL82FA285: Robinson R-22, N9072V, Nashville, TN, September 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1982, 13:12 local (18:12 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.110576, -86.769721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1106&lon=-86.7697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA285

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor - diverged
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - misc rotorcraft,tail cone - failure,total
  - misc rotorcraft,tail cone - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT BETWEEN 100 AND 500 FEET AGL AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN SLAPPING AND CRACKING SOUNDS WERE HEARD, FOLLOWED BY THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE HELICOPTER. THE WRECKAGE WAS  SCATTERED OVER 700 FT WITH THE TAILBOOM 200 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF MAIN ROTOR BLADE DIVERGENCE, MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKES TO THE TAILBOOM AND SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR MAST AT THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. A METALLURGIST'S EXAM OF THE PITCH CHANGE LINKS AND MAIN ROTOR BLADE FRACTURES REVEALED OVERSTRESS SEPARATIONS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9072V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0212
- Airframe hours: 648
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mr. Hewett Taylor
- Registered owner: Aero International Helicopter,
- Departed: NASHVILLE, TN
- Destination: NASHVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,046 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 154 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 7 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820925048919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820925048919A), Sep 25, 1982: Robsin R22, Nashville, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Retreating blade stall induced by high airspeed and decaying rotor RPM. Blades struck tail boom. Airframe failed.

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.

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