Amateur-built SAFARI accident near Rock Springs, Arizona, May 22, 2009
On May 22, 2009 at about 8:30 pm local time, a amateur-built SAFARI (helicopter), registered N147MD, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Rock Springs, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 2009 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rock Springs, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SAFARI
- Registration
- N147MD · registry record · serial 2129
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during enroute defining event
- Part(s) separation from AC during enroute
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor system › Main rotor head system › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- cause Organizational issues › Development › Manufacture/production › (general) › Manufacturer
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 270 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior XP-O-360-A3A2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Rock Springs AZ at 8:30 pm
- Destination: Rock Springs AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from DVT, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 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 WPR09LA253.