# NTSB FTW92FA215: Bell XV-15 301, N702NA, Arlington, TX, August 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1992, 11:03 local (16:03 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TX
- Location: 32.7357° N, 97.1081° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arlington, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7357&lon=-97.1081&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA215

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A DISCONNECTED PROPROTOR GOVERNOR LINKAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - propeller governor control - disengaged (cause)
  - propeller control - disengaged (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover

## Analysis

DURING A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT OF THE TILTROTOR AIRCRAFT, THE LEFT PROPROTOR GOVERNOR DISCONNECTED DUE TO A MISSING SAFETY ON THE CASTELLATED NUT THAT SECURES THE PROPROTOR TO THE GOVERNOR LINKAGE. WHEN THE GOVERNOR DISCONNECTED, THE PROPELLER SURGED TO THE MAXIMUM PITCH SETTING AND ROLLED THE AIRCRAFT AROUND THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS. FLIGHT DATA RECORDINGS INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A ROLL TO THE RIGHT THAT BEGAN SLOWLY AND ACCELERATED TO THE INVERTED POSITION IN LESS THAN 3 SECONDS. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND INVERTED. NEITHER OCCUPANT COULD EGRESS WITHOUT ASSISTANCE DUE TO INCONSISTENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMERGENCY EGRESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N702NA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N702NA-2011-11-10), registration cancelled 2011-11-10, S/N 0001, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL XV-15 301
- Registry model: [Bell 301](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-301) (registry code 1182109) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTC4B-8D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ltc4b-8d) (registry code 41556, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Unknown
- Serial number: 0001
- Airframe hours: 841
- Engines: LYCOMING LTC1K-4K 1550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Bell Helicopter Textron
- Registered owner: Nasa
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 9, 1992, 81 hours before
- Departed: ARL
- Destination: ARL
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: F54, Arlington Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,800 total, 200 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DFW, 20 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 19920820032489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920820032489A), Aug 20, 1992: Bell XV15, Arlington, TX, Destroyed. Left collective pitch actuator bolt fell out. Pilots lost control XV15 rolled right proprotor hit. XV15 inverted.

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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