2 fatal · Bell 212 · 1999-11-27 · PHILADELPHIA, MS, USA
Event
NTSB number
MIA00FA030
Event ID
20001212X20136
Type
Accident
Date
1999-11-27
Location
PHILADELPHIA, MS, USA
Coordinates
32.784442, -88.926109
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Bell
Model
212
Registration
N8144M
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot and company maintenance personnel during preflight and periodic inspections to identify the signs of fretting and looseness in the "red" main rotor blade pitch change horn to main rotor blade grip attachment, resulting in the helicopter continuing in service with a loose pitch change horn, separation of the pitch change horn from the blade grip, and inflight breakup of the helicopter due to the main rotor striking the tailboom. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to respond to increased vibration in the main rotor system and land immediately.