Robinson R-44 N49669
11 June 1999 · Sevierville, Tennessee, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 11 June 1999 at about 21:00 local time, a Robinson R-44 registered N49669 was involved in an accident near Sevierville, Tennessee, United States. 3 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 21:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Sevierville, Tennessee, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.7796, -83.6106
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-44
- Registration
- N49669
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Sevierville → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA99LA181
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Probable cause
The induced fatigue fracture of a component in the engine-to-transmission rotor drive system resulting in a disconnection of the drive system during cruise flight caused by inadequate inspection processes by the manufacturer and the subsequent autorotative emergency descent and forced landing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that about 10 minutes into his sightseeing flight, at 400 to 500 feet of altitude, in cruise flight, he heard a noise similar to a shotgun blast and experienced vibration, uncommanded yaw, and low rotor and engine rpm. He regained control and conducted a successful autorotation. Postcrash examination of the helicopter revealed drive train, framework, and fuel tank shrapnel damage originating from a failed transmission forward main driveshaft yoke. Examination of the failed yoke by the NTSB Materials Laboratory revealed a cracked weld that originated during manufacture.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Mar 1999 | Robinson R-44 | Sines, Portugal | Heliportugal | No injuries | - |
| 19 Oct 1999 | Robinson R-44 | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Sep 2000 | Robinson R-44 | Carlos Tejedor, Argentina | Luis R. Dipalma | Fatal | 1 |
| 23 Jan 1998 | Robinson R-44 | Miami, Florida, United States | Spencer Gordon | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1998 | Robinson R-44 | Cassville, Missouri, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 Apr 2000 | Robinson R-44 | Cesis, Latvia | Klaipeda Airlines | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Sep 1999 | Cessna 182P | Collegedale, Tennessee, United States | Aviation Specialists | No injuries | - |
| 18 Dec 1999 | Swertfeger VELOCITY 173 ELITE | Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Jun 1999 | Cessna 182R | Sevierville, Tennessee, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 13 Jun 1999 | Cessna 172P | Seymour, Tennessee, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 May 1999 | Cessna 172N | Eagleville, Tennessee, United States | Flymasters Flying Club | No injuries | - |
| 8 May 1999 | Christen S-2B | Knoxville, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |