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Sevier Co. Helicopter Crash

A helicopter crash in Sevier County resulted in at least one death and one person critically injured on Dec. 29, 2021, representatives with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office told WVLT News.

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21K views3 pages

Sevier Co. Helicopter Crash

A helicopter crash in Sevier County resulted in at least one death and one person critically injured on Dec. 29, 2021, representatives with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office told WVLT News.

Uploaded by

WVLT News
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Cosby, TN Accident Number: ERA22FA096


Date & Time: December 29, 2021, 14:25 Local Registration: N544SC
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Aircraft: Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
R44 II
Flight Conducted
Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Under:

On December 29, 2021, at 1425 eastern standard time, a Robinson R-44 II, N544SC, was substantially
damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cosby, Tennessee. The commercial pilot received
serious injuries and the passenger was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of
Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to personnel at Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT), Sevierville, Tennessee, the pilot and
passenger traveled from Utah to pick up the helicopter after leasing it from the owner. They arrived at the
service center where the helicopter had been stored about 0830 on the day of the accident. The pilot
reviewed the lease agreement and conducted a local flight around the GKT airport traffic pattern to assess
the helicopter per the lease agreement.

According to personnel at the service center, “the weather throughout the day was changing from marginal
visual flight rules (VFR) conditions to instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions.” The pilot had many
conversations with the service center employees about leaving the area but was cautioned by all of them
he spoke with about the dangers of flying in the Smoky Mountains in marginal weather. One person
showed him a book in their training room filled with controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents that
occurred in the area. The pilot’s response was “those are hills,” and informed him he had 14 years of
experience of mountain flying. Additionally, a local helicopter air ambulance pilot that worked on the
field met the pilot and asked about his intentions. The pilot stated he planned on departing towards
Asheville and follow Interstate 40 through the gorge to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he would visit
relatives before heading back west. The other helicopter pilot told him that the mountains east of GKT
were 6,000 ft and “there was no way he would make it there.” He also stated there were powerlines above
the I-40 gorge.

About 1413, the pilot and passenger departed GKT eastbound. Preliminary Federal Aviation
Administration radar data (figure 1) showed the helicopter flying through the valleys in an
easterly/southeasterly direction at altitudes between 1,200 ft and 1,750 ft. The data was not continuous
along the route. An eyewitness located in a campground near the accident site stated that he first heard the

Page 1 of 3 ERA22FA096
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
helicopter coming, then witnessed it fly out of the fog. After observing the impact trees, he called 911.
Additionally, he stated, “it was extremely foggy that day.”

Figure 1 - Preliminary FAA ATC radar data track.

The helicopter came to rest on a heading of 210°, the cabin impacted the ground and was crushed forward
with the tail boom raised behind the cabin. The tail rotor was separated and resting on the right side of the
wreckage. Examination of the wreckage revealed all engine structural components, fuselage and flight
control surfaces were accounted for at the scene. The main and auxiliary fuel tanks remained attached to
the fuselage. The auxiliary fuel tank was examined and appeared to be full. Fuel was collected from both
tanks with no contamination noted. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces
to the flight controls in the cockpit.

The engine was examined and remained attached to the airframe with no noticeable damage. The engine
compartment was free of oil or fuel residue.

Both main rotor blades remained attached to the main rotor hub, and one blade was bent, but complete.
The other blade was bent and impact-separated into three pieces. The majority of the blade was attached
to the main rotor hub, with three feet of the tip separated in two pieces; about 2.5 ft of blade material and
the weighted tip. Both pieces were located near the main wreckage to the north.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Page 2 of 3 ERA22FA096
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: ROBINSON HELICOPTER Registration: N544SC
COMPANY
Model/Series: R44 II Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Amateur Built:
Operator: Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: GKT,833 ft msl Observation Time: 14:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C /16°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 1800 ft AGL Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: /,
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3400 ft AGL Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Gatlinburg, TN (GKT) Destination: Raleigh , NC (RDU)

Wreckage and Impact Information


Crew Injuries: 1 Serious Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious Latitude, 35.773248,-83.279198 (est)
Longitude:

Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Wentz, Peter
Additional Participating Persons: Neal Thorne; FAA FSDO; Nashville
Thom Webster; Robinson Helicopter; Torrance, CA
Mike Childers; Lycoming; Westport, PA
Note:

Page 3 of 3 ERA22FA096
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.

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