Robinson R-22B N54BA
8 May 1994 · Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 8 May 1994 at about 23:45 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N54BA, operated by Beegle, Phillip H., JR., was involved in an accident near Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.8108, -84.1290
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B
- Registration
- N54BA
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Beegle, Phillip H., JR.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Dusk
- NTSB number
- ATL94LA094
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
the pilot's improper vertical takeoff in that he allowed the helicopter to drift rearward, and his failure to maintain clearance from the wire.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN LANDED IN A RESIDENTIAL CUL-DE-SAC. IT REMAINED PARKED THERE WHILE THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER ATE AT A NEARBY RESIDENCE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A TELEPHONE WIRE WAS LOCATED BEHIND, AND ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT. ON DEPARTURE, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE WIRE WHEN THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE TO BEGIN THE TRANSITION FROM A HOVER TO FORWARD FLIGHT. AFTER CONTACTING THE WIRE, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE BACK TO THE STREET. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, WHICH RESULTED IN SPREADING THE SKIDS AND BENDING THE HELICOPTER FRAME. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE TAIL ROTOR WAS MANGLED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22B accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Johnson City, Texas, United States | Mike Green | No injuries | - |
| 23 Mar 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Simi Valley, California, United States | Orbic Helicopter, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 22 Nov 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Rainbow Pacific Helicopters, L | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Nov 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Magnolia, Delaware, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 Aug 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Agua Dulce, California, United States | Peter Lowry | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Sep 1994 | Robinson R-22B | Knightdale, North Carolina, United States | Raleigh Helicopters | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Feb 1994 | Cessna T210R | Baxley, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Mar 1994 | Boeing PT-17 | Chamblee, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 1994 | Beechcraft C23 | Dahlonega, Georgia, United States | Bowles, Alfred E. JR. | No injuries | - |
| 30 Mar 1994 | Foote M1 MUSTANG | Marietta, Georgia, United States | Cash, Jimmy L. | Serious injuries | - |
| 30 Apr 1994 | Cessna 182B | Ellijay, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Apr 1994 | Piper PA-18-150 | Bainbridge, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |