Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA235