- Date
- July 27, 1990, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place
- Paducah, KY
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N9017SRobinson R22
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 23, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 11606
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The loss of tail rotor thrust due to improper part installation.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The helicopter impacted to the ground after a loss of tail rotor thrust during an attempted takeoff. Investigation revealed the intermediate flex plate and two clutch yokes and failed. A metallurgical examination revealed that the washers in one of the fastener joints were misplaced. A warning in the manufacturer's manual states: 'A559 nickel-plated radiused washers are required on each side of the A193 flexplates or fretting failure may occur within a few hours.' Records indicate the most recent annual inspection was signed off on October 19, 1989, and the aircraft had accumulated 119 hours since that time. The helicopter had undergone a pre-purchase inspection about one month prior to the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9017S
- Reported as
- Robinson R22
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 0195
- Airframe hours
- 2,038
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Byrne, Michael T.
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 19, 1989 · 119 hours before
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 40
- Certificate
- Private
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 221 total · 187 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 91 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg