ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 297031
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| Date: | Tuesday 2 July 2002 |
| Time: | 13:45 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 BETA |
| Owner/operator: | Group 3 Aviation |
| Registration: | N4072T |
| MSN: | 1747 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1991 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 5743 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-B2C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Chatsworth, California -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Los Angeles-Van Nuys Airport, CA (VNY/KVNY) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The 2,155-hour pilot reported that the helicopter developed an abnormal vibration while en-route to a local practice area. The pilot added that he became concerned about the unusual vibration and elected to land the helicopter as soon as possible to investigate the source of the vibration. The pilot executed a power-on approach to a terraced paved area located to the right of his intended course. While on the approach on a northerly heading, as the pilot was flaring the helicopter for a landing, control was lost after the main rotor blades came in contact with the terraced terrain to his right-front. The pilot stated that the engine was performing "normally" and he did not experience a loss of engine power. He added that at the time of the accident, the winds at the accident site were from the south at an estimated 10 to 13 knots. On June 25, 2002, the Robinson Helicopter Company issued an R22 Safety Alert Letter dealing with unusual vibrations and the possibility of a main rotor blade crack. The letter states that "IF MAIN ROTOR VIBRATION INCREASES RAPIDLY OR BECOMES SEVERE DURING FLIGHT, LAND IMMEDIATELY." The pilot recalled receiving this letter three days prior to the accident and indicated this as the reason for his landing attempt. Both tail rotor blades were broken off about 3 ½ inches from their outboard mount points with severe leading edge damage to both blades. One main rotor blade was bent aft and up from its normal position leaving the trailing edge buckled. The other main rotor blade was bent aft and down from its normal position leaving the trailing edge buckled. Small cracks were observed on both main rotor blades near the root fitting and spar cover area. Due to the observed cracks in the main rotor blade root area, the sealant was removed from both blades and they were subjected to a dye penetrate inspection per Robinson Helicopter Company Service Letter 21A. No indications of cracks in the root fitting material of both blades were found.
Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate flare resulting in rotor blade contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the high altitude and the airframe vibration for an undetermined reason.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX02LA213
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 11 March 1993 | N4072T | Sunrise Air | 0 | Folsom, CA | |
sub |
| 22 January 2000 | N4072T | Group 3 Aviation | 0 | near Piru, Ventura County, Santa Clara River Valley, California | |
sub |
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Oct-2022 13:39 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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