Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC88LA083

WATERFALL, PA, USA

Aircraft #1

N5093Y

HUGHES 369D

Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD 'BOOM' AND EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL ACCOMPANIED BY AN INCREASE IN N2 AND RPM. A RADIO TRANSMISSION WAS MADE TO THE AIRCRAFT THAT WAS TRAILING AND THEN AN APPROACH FOR LANDING SET UP. ON LANDING, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD BUT LEVEL AND WITH THE SKIDS IN LINE WITH THE FINAL APPROACH PATH. THE HELICOPTER BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE COMING TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE, 45 FEET FROM THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN POINT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT IN FLT. THE TAIL ROTOR WAS 3/4 MILE FROM THE ACC SITE. 300 YARDS FARTHER AWAY WAS A FLT BAG FROM THE HELICOPTER WITH TAIL ROTOR PAINT ON IT. THERE WERE NO DOORS ON THE HELICOPTER BECAUSE OF ITS USE IN POWER LINE PATROL.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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