Robinson R22 accident near Paducah, Kentucky, July 27, 1990
On July 27, 1990 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N9017S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Paducah, Kentucky. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR THRUST DUE TO IMPROPER PART INSTALLATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 1990 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Paducah, Kentucky · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N9017S · registry record · serial 0195
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED TO THE GROUND AFTER A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR THRUST DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE INTERMEDIATE FLEX PLATE AND TWO CLUTCH YOKES AND FAILED. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE WASHERS IN ONE OF THE FASTENER JOINTS WERE MISPLACED. A WARNING IN THE MANUFACTURER'S MANUAL STATES: 'A559 NICKEL-PLATED RADIUSED WASHERS ARE REQUIRED ON EACH SIDE OF THE A193 FLEXPLATES OR FRETTING FAILURE MAY OCCUR WITHIN A FEW HOURS.' RECORDS INDICATE THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS SIGNED OFF ON OCTOBER 19, 1989, AND THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCUMULATED 119 HOURS SINCE THAT TIME. THE HELICOPTER HAD UNDERGONE A PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION ABOUT ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 221 hours in all; 187 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,038 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 19, 1989; 119 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number BFO90LA065.