# NTSB ATL92FA096: Robinson R-22 Beta, N191KC, Mt. Pleasant, TN, May 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1992, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Pleasant, TN
- Coordinates: 35.550251, -87.189407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5503&lon=-87.1894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 2, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA096

## Probable cause

A DIVERGENCE OF THE MAIN ROTOR FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHICH RESULTED IN ROTOR CONTACT TO THE COCKPIT AREA.

## 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
  - fuselage,cabin - blade strike
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD NOTIFIED JACKSON AUTOMATED FLIGHT SERVICE STATION OF HIS INTENTION TO FLY FROM JACKSON, TN, TO TULLAHOMA, TN, AT 3000' MSL.  ALONG THE ROUTE NEAR MOUNT PLEASANT, WITNESSES HEARD A LOUD BANG.  SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, WRECKAGE FROM THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND SCATTERED OVER A 1500' PASTURE AREA.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT A MAIN ROTOR BLADE HAD DIVERGED FROM ITS NORMAL PLANE OF ROTATION & STRUCK THE LEFT DOOR FRAME IN-FLIGHT.  VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED.  ABOUT 35 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST AT NASHVILLE, THE 1647 CDT SURFACE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 010 DEGREES AT 10 GUSTING 21 KNOTS; WINDS ALOFT AT 3000' WERE REPORTED AS 22 KNOTS. DARK CLOUDS WERE REPORTED NORTHWEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE IN-FLIGHT STRIKE OF THE AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N191KC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N191KC-1993-04-19), registration cancelled 1993-04-19, S/N 1818 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22 BETA
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1818
- Airframe hours: 469
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 161 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kansas Copter & Wings, Inc.
- Registered owner: Kansas Copter & Wings, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1992, 6 hours before
- Departed: MKL, JACKSON, TN
- Destination: RDU, RALEIGH, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 116 total, 57 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 35 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 19920506013549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920506013549A), May 6, 1992: Robsin R22BETA, Mt Pleasant, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Indicates mast bumping due to severe turbulence caused rotors to strike tailboom and cabin. Cloud buildups in area.

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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