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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 15, 1992 · Hughes 369D HU-369-D · N8674F

Edison, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 15, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Edison, NJ
Aircraft
Hughes 369D HU-369-D
Tail Number
N8674F
Operator
Sun Dun Inc of Washington
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO92FA022

THE PILOT WAS RETURNING HOME, WHEN ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO SAW THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 800 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL AT FIRST. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED FOLLOWED BY THE HELICOPTER 'DUTCH ROLLING' (BANKING) LEFT AND RIGHT FOR TWO CYCLES AND THEN ROLLED OVER ONE AND HALF TIMES NOSE FIRST AS IT DROPPED BEHIND THE TREES. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND WAS DESTROYED BY POST-CRASH FIRE. EXAMINATION OF AIRCRAFT CONFIRMED CONTINUITY OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX, AND INTERNAL ROTATIONAL DAMAGE FOR THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT ROTATIONAL DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR, TAIL ROTOR, AND ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION DRIVESHAFT (SHORT SHAFT). EXAMINATION OF THE SHAFT REVEALED IT HAD SEPARAED FROM THE BENDIX COUPLINGS AND WAS CRUSHED ALMOST FLAT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ROTATIONAL DAMAGE BETWEEN THE SEPARATED HALVES. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FUEL NOZZLE WAS CORRODED WITH FERROUS FIBERS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL NOZZLE WHICH RESULTED IN PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS RETURNING HOME, WHEN ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO SAW THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 800 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL AT FIRST. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED FOLLOWED BY THE HELICOPTER 'DUTCH ROLLING' (BANKING) LEFT AND RIGHT FOR TWO CYCLES AND THEN ROLLED OVER ONE AND HALF TIMES NOSE FIRST AS IT DROPPED BEHIND THE TREES. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND WAS DESTROYED BY POST-CRASH FIRE. EXAMINATION OF AIRCRAFT CONFIRMED CONTINUITY OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX, AND INTERNAL ROTATIONAL DAMAGE FOR THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT ROTATIONAL DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR, TAIL ROTOR, AND ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION DRIVESHAFT (SHORT SHAFT). EXAMINATION OF THE SHAFT REVEALED IT HAD SEPARAED FROM THE BENDIX COUPLINGS AND WAS CRUSHED ALMOST FLAT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ROTATIONAL DAMAGE BETWEEN THE SEPARATED HALVES. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FUEL NOZZLE WAS CORRODED WITH FERROUS FIBERS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:55 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369D HU-369-D
Tail NumberN8674F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSun Dun Inc of Washington
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 14 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 3 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data