# NTSB ATL84FA277: Bell 222, N22299, Knoxville, TN, September 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1984, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Knoxville, TN
- Location: 35.9606° N, 83.9207° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Knoxville, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9606&lon=-83.9207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA277
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA277

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb
  - misc rotorcraft - pressure too low
  - maintenance - inadequate (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - object - vehicle
- Fire, landing - flare/touchdown
  - fuel system,drain - overload
  - fuel system - failure,partial

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS IN A HOVER WHEN A RT PEDAL TURN WAS INITIATED AND A CLIMB ATTEMPTED. PLT STATED, 'I WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB, AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO LOSE ROTOR RPM. I INCREASED POWER TO 100% MRTQ. THE ACFT WAS SETTLING.' UNABLE TO SUSTAIN FLT, A LANDING WAS MADE AT A ROAD INTERSECTION DURING WHICH 3 VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED BY FIRE. INSPECTION & TESTING REVEALED THE TORQUE CONTROL UNIT, P/N 222-360-010-101, WHICH LIMITS THE AMT OF COMBINED ENG TORQUE DELIVERED TO THE MAIN TRANSMISSION, WAS ADJUSTED TO 46.0 PSI. ACCORDING TO BELL MAINTENANCE MANUALS,THE UNIT SHOULD BE SET AT 48.5 PSI (+1.5/-0.0). THE UNIT WAS INSTALLED IN THE ACFT ON 3/1/82. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINEDIF THE UNIT WAS ADJUSTED AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION OR AFTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22299](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22299-1988-08-19), registration cancelled 1988-08-19, S/N 47059 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222
- Registry model: [Bell 222](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222) (registry code 1182122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47059
- Airframe hours: 2179
- Engines: LYCOMING LT101-650C3A 620 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bell Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: KNOXVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,564 total, 3 in this make and model, 2,464 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 12 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 19840901045259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840901045259A), Sep 1, 1984: Bell 222, Knoxville, TN, Destroyed. Started climb from a hover but was unable to sustain flight. Low rotor light on. Struck autos landing on a road.

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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