PORTERVILLE, CA, USA
N1316X
BELL 47G-5
DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND COLLIDED WITH A BUILDING. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT WAS NOT COATED WITH ALUMINIZED LACQUER AS REQUIRED BY THE BELL FINISH PROCESS SPECIFICATION. THE BELL DRAWING REQUIRES TWO #2 SHORT PLUGS TO BE INSTALLED AT A SPECIFIED DISTANCE FROM EACH END OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT AND THE END OF THE SHAFT TO BE SEALED OFF WITH ADHESIVE TO PROTECT THE SHAFT INSIDE DIAMETER FROM CORROSION. A DIMENSIONAL CHECK OF THE SHAFT REVEALED THAT THE PLUGS WERE NOT INSTALLED AT THE CORRECT DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE SHAFT AS SPECIFIED IN THE DRAWING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
