# NTSB MKC83FA076: Robinson R-22, N9024Z, St. Louis, MO, March 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1983, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Louis, MO
- Coordinates: 38.640415, -90.190994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6404&lon=-90.1910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES FLYING AT 200-300 FEET ABOVE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. AS IT WOBBLED AND BUFFETED AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS SPINNING AND THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED SHORTLY FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION WITH A BLUEISH/WHITE SMOKE AND PIECES FLYING OFF AS IT FELL INVERTED. DURING THE FALL THE MAIN ROTOR SEPARATED AND WHAT WAS LEFT FELL INTO THE RIVER. A TUG BOAT RECOVERED SOME PAPERS, TWO CUSHIONS AND A WALLET BELONGING TO THE STUDENT PILOT. SEARCHING AND DRAGGING OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED FOR 4 DAYS WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS AND WERE TERMINATED. THE WRECKAGE AND BODIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9024Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0038
- Airframe hours: 339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephan C. Lieber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1983, 17 hours before
- Departed: CPS, EAST ST. LOUIS, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 748 total, 110 in this make and model, 581 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CPS, 4 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 19830314007489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830314007489A), Mar 14, 1983: Robsin R22, St Louis, MO, Destroyed. Helicopter exploded or came apart while in level flight. Main wreckage and debris fell into river, not recovered.

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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