# NTSB ATL86FA081: Robinson R22, N90459, Greenville, TN, February 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1986, 19:00 local (Feb 23, 1986, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.070842, -82.859275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0708&lon=-82.8593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA081

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS LAST SEEN TO DEPART RWY 23 AT THE GREENVILLE ARPT & ENTER A LOW CLOUD LAYER AT NGT. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTER ENTERED THE CLOUDS AT ABOUT 300 TO 400 FT AGL. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND THE NEXT DAY, LOCATED ABOUT 1/4 MI SOUTH OF THE EXTENDED RWY CENTERLINE. AN EXAM REVEALED THE INITIAL IMPACT WAS WITH A TREE. THE HELICOPTER THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND, APRX 75 FT DOWNHILL & NORTH OF THE INITIAL TREE IMPACT POINT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND; HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED (DESTROYED) WHEN IT CRASHED. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED ONLY A SLIGHT AMOUNT (375 NG/ML) OF BUTALBITAL IN THE PLT'S URINE. A CHECK OF HIS BLOOD WAS NEGATIVE FOR DRUGS/MEDICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90459 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0108
- Airframe hours: 850
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dr. Darriel S.Slagle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: KNOXVILLE, TN
- Airport: GCY, Greenville Muni, runway 23, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 390 total, 274 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 65 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 19860222004889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860222004889A), Feb 22, 1986: Robsin R22, Greenville, TN, Destroyed. Night takeoff into low ceiling and visibility. Hit trees 2000 feet from runway. Sedatives found in pilots system.

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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