Gauchat SAFARI N147MD
22 May 2009 · Rock Springs, Arizona, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 22 May 2009 at about 20:30 local time, a Gauchat SAFARI registered N147MD was involved in an accident near Rock Springs, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. 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 20:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Rock Springs, Arizona, United States
- Coordinates
- 34.0425, -112.1494
- Aircraft
- Gauchat SAFARI
- Registration
- N147MD
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Rock Springs → Rock Springs
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR09LA253
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The separation of the main rotor head during cruise flight as a result of cyclic fatigue of the main rotor head spindle. The fatigue crack was due to an inadequate manufacturing process.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
During a personal flight the experimental helicopter experienced an in-flight separation of the main rotor head. Both main rotor blades were located in opposite directions from the main wreckage. The helicopter was substantially damaged by the impact forces and the postimpact fire. Postaccident examination of the main rotor head assembly and the main rotor spindle revealed that the main rotor spindle had failed due to cyclic fatigue. The origin area was located near distinct circumferential machining marks. The manufacturer subsequently issued a mandatory inspection bulletin requiring inspection of all main rotor spindles.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jul 2009 | Piper PA-28R-180 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | New Mexico Flying Eagle Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 22 Apr 2009 | Cessna 172E | Tucson, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Apr 2009 | De Havilland DHC-8 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Mesa Airlines | No injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 2009 | Piper PA-24-250 | Black Canyon City, Arizona, United States | Ralph Smith | Fatal | 2 |
| 11 Dec 2009 | Cessna 182P | Payson, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Mar 2009 | Cosmos PHASE 2 | Salome, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |