# NTSB FTW86LA044: Robinson R-22, N8557K, Mcalester, OK, February 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1986, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcalester, OK
- Location: 34.9261° N, 95.7736° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McAlester, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9261&lon=-95.7736&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - daylight
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS HEARDING CATTLE WITH THE HELICOPTER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE WAS TRAVELING SLOW AND PARALLEL WITH A BARBED WIRE FENCE. HE HAD TO TURN TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID A TREE WHICH WAS DIRECTLY AHEAD OF THE ACFT. UPON MAKING THE TURN HE CAUGHT THE TAIL ROTOR IN THE FENCE AND TORE THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY OFF THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER THEN WENT INTO A SPIN. THE PLT CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER. THE TOUCHDOWN WAS HARD ENOUGH THAT THE FUSELAGE WAS SLIGHTLY WARPED DURING THE IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8557K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8557K-1991-04-18), registration cancelled 1991-04-18, S/N 0461 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0461
- Airframe hours: 644
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mills Brangus Ranch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1985, 44 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,360 total, 860 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860208007069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860208007069A), Feb 8, 1986: Robsin R22ALPHA, Mcalester, OK, Substantial damage. While slowly paralleling a fence, made a turn to avoid a tree. Tail rotor hit fence, helicopter spun, hit ground.

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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