# NTSB FTW95LA235: Robinson R-22, N9074Y, Weatherford, TX, June 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1995, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Weatherford, TX
- Coordinates: 32.749645, -97.770545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7496&lon=-97.7705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA235

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL DURING LANDING RESULTING IN THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES STRIKING THE GROUND AND SEPARATING, AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL (ANTI-TORQUE) CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE UPHILL TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - blade strike (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS LANDING ON A 5 TO 7 DEGREE UPHILL RIVER BANK WHEN THE HELICOPTER 'LOST ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL AND SPUN.'  DURING THE LANDING, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER 'DIPPING' FORWARD AND THEN 'ROCK BACK AND FORTH.' GROUND SCARS, CORRESPONDING TO LEADING EDGE DAMAGE ON BOTH TAIL ROTOR BLADES, WERE FOUND AT THE SITE. ADDITIONALLY, BOTH TAIL ROTOR BLADES WERE FOUND SEPARATED FROM THEIR YOKES AND THE TAIL BOOM WAS STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED.

## Factual narrative

On June 11, 1995, at 1645 central daylight time (CDT), a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N9074Y, was substantially damaged while landing on a river bank near Weatherford, Texas.  The pilot rated student and passenger received minor injuries.  The helicopter, owned by the pilot, was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The personal flight originated at Downtown Airpark, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at 1430 CDT and was en route to Grand Prairie Municipal Airport, Dallas, Texas.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that as he was landing on a 5 to 7 degree uphill slope, the helicopter "lost anti-torque control and spun." According to witnesses, the helicopter was landing down wind on a river bank when they observed the nose "dipping" forward, and then "rock back and forth."  A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that he observed ground scars corresponding to leading edge damage found on both tail rotor blades. Additionally, both tail rotor blades were separated from their yolks, and the tail boom was structurally damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9074Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 241
- Airframe hours: 3942
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian Vater
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 1995, 45 hours before
- Departed: 2DT, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Destination: F67, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 400 total, 111 in this make and model, 315 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19950611040429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950611040429A), Jun 11, 1995: Robsin R22BETA, Weatherford, TX, Substantial damage. Landed downwind on upslope river bank. Rocked back on skids. Tail rotors impacted ground. Damaged tailboom.

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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