Accident · 2020-10-18
What the record says
- Event date
- 2020-10-18
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Serious injury
- Aircraft
- ROBINSON R22 (N566BC)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- BLUE RIDGE HELICOPTERS INC Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Blue Ridge Helicopters Inc.
Probable cause
Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the engine cooling fan attachment bolts, leading to vibration of the cooling fan, the overextension of the tension belt actuator, the failure of the drive system vee-belts, and the loss of power to the rotor system. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the operator to incorporate the manufacturer’s service bulletin addressing the prevention of belt tension actuator overextension, and the failure of maintenance personnel and the pilot to observe the loose fanwheel bolts during the most recent 100-hour inspection and during the preflight inspection of the helicopter (respectively).
Source: NTSB case ERA21LA024Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Private | None | 61 | Class 3 (2019-12-18) | 168 total · 154 in this make/model · 7 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.