ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 199896
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| Date: | Saturday 5 September 1992 |
| Time: | 17:30 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 |
| Owner/operator: | Helicopters International |
| Registration: | N4073S |
| MSN: | 1889 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1991 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1094 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-B2C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Alpine, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Sonora, TX (E29) |
| Marfa, TX (KMRF) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
While on a cross-country flight over mountainous terrain, the helicopter impacted the side of a mountain at 6,800 feet, about 90 feet below the crest. The investigation revealed that the tail rotor hit the side of the mountain first. Wreckage was distributed down the side of the mountain to about the 6,500-foot level. Density altitude, calculated using a pressure altitude of 6,800 feet and an estimated temperature of 85 degrees, was 9,900 feet. The helicopter's gross weight was calculated to be 1,229 pounds. Maximum gross weight for out-of-ground effect hover performance at 9,900 density altitude was 1,210 pounds. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-impact flight control malfunction or airframe or system failure. The engine performed within manufacturer specifications and certification standards during a postaccident test run. The pilot had no memory of the accident, there were no witnesses, and the phase of operation was unknown.
Probable Cause: Failure by the pilot-in-command, for unknown reasons, to maintain sufficient altitude to clear surrounding terrain. Factors were mountainous terrain and high density altitude.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW92FA224
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 22-Sep-2017 17:55 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
| 10-Apr-2024 18:08 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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