MIDDLETOWN, DE, USA
N9209
ENSTROM F-28A
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF APRX 400 FT, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND THE HELICOPTER DEVELOPED A MODERATE TO SEVERE VIBRATION. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED SMALL TREE BRANCHES AND LANDED HARD IN A FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE #3 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD CAP HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CONNECTING ROD. THE FATIGUE FAILURE INITIATED AT THE BOLT HOLE IN THE YOKE SECTION OF THE ROD. SEVERE GALLING WAS VISIBLE ON THE FAILED CONNECTING ROD CAP AND YOKE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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