MEETEETSE, WY, USA
N83776
AEROSPATIALE SA316B
APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT 1 TO 1 VIBRATION THROUGH THE CYCLIC. THIS TYPE VIBRATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH MAIN ROTOR DAMPERS AND THE PILOT 'STIRRED' THE CYCLIC IN AN EFFORT TO PURGE AIR OUT OF THE BLADE DAMPERS. THIS ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IT RECURRED AND COULD NOT BE ELIMINATED. THE VIBRATION INCREASED TO THE POINT OF LOSS OF CONTROL. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED WITH TOUCHDOWN OCCURRING AT ABOUT 60 KNOTS. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST INVERTED AND WAS LARGELY CONSUMED BY POST-IMPACT FIRE. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS ON A FAILED BLADE RESTRAINING CABLE REVEALED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN A LOW CYCLE FATIGUE MODE CONSISTENT WITH A SECONDARY CAUSE, AND DUE TO SHORT TERM VIBRATIONS. IN ADDITION TO FATIGUE, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF PLASTIC DEFORMATION DUE TO VIBRATORY LOADS FROM THE DAMPER SYSTEMS. FIRE DAMAGE PREVENTED ADDITIONAL FAILURE ANALYSIS.
A MAIN ROTOR HEAD BLADE DAMPENER FAILURE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF A BLADE RESTRAINING CABLE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
