NTSB Identification: MKC83FA076.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 20858.
Accident occurred Monday, March 14, 1983 in ST. LOUIS, MO
Aircraft: ROBINSON R-22, registration: N9024Z
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES FLYING AT 200-300 FEET ABOVE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. AS IT WOBBLED AND BUFFETED AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS SPINNING AND THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED SHORTLY FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION WITH A BLUEISH/WHITE SMOKE AND PIECES FLYING OFF AS IT FELL INVERTED. DURING THE FALL THE MAIN ROTOR SEPARATED AND WHAT WAS LEFT FELL INTO THE RIVER. A TUG BOAT RECOVERED SOME PAPERS, TWO CUSHIONS AND A WALLET BELONGING TO THE STUDENT PILOT. SEARCHING AND DRAGGING OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED FOR 4 DAYS WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS AND WERE TERMINATED. THE WRECKAGE AND BODIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOVERED.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
REASON FOR OCCURRENCE UNDETERMINED
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