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NTSB Report
September 9, 1992 · Hughes 369D · N8697F
Nunavaugaluk Lk, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 1992
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Nunavaugaluk Lk, AK
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N8697F
Operator
Eberle Terrance
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC92FA159
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT 1,000 FT AGL, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AIRFRAME VIBRATION AND A GRINDING SOUND. HE ENTERED AUTOROTATION, AND AT 200 FT AGL THE TAIL ROTOR AND PART OF THE T/R GEAR BOX SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER. IT THEN ROTATED APPROXIMATELY 720 DEG AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. ONE OF THE T/R BLADES WAS MISSING THE ABRASION STRIP. AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD) & SERVICE BULLETIN (SB) WERE IN EFFECT DIRECTING INSTALLATION OF RIVETS WITHIN 300 HRS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE LOSS OF TAILROTOR CONTROL. DUE TO SEASONAL USE, HELICOPTER HAD LESS THAN 160 HRS SINCE ISSUANCE OF THE AD. TAIL ROTOR BLADE FOUND INTACT WAS 40% DEBONDED, BUT WOULD PASS A 'TAP TEST' IAW MANUFACTURER'S SB. FAILED BLADE ESTIMATED TO BE 90% DEBONDED. DAILY VISUAL INSPECTION REQUIRED BY SB REPORTEDLY DID NOT DETECT DEBONDING IN PROGRESS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR ABRASION STRIP AND THE SUBSEQUENT TOTAL LOSS OF THE TAIL ROTOR. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INSUFFICIENT MANUFACTURER'S MAINTENANCE DESIGN CHANGES, INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER AND INSUFFICIENT STANDARDS OF THE FAA CERTIFICATION ORGANIZATION.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT 1,000 FT AGL, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AIRFRAME VIBRATION AND A GRINDING SOUND. HE ENTERED AUTOROTATION, AND AT 200 FT AGL THE TAIL ROTOR AND PART OF THE T/R GEAR BOX SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER. IT THEN ROTATED APPROXIMATELY 720 DEG AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. ONE OF THE T/R BLADES WAS MISSING THE ABRASION STRIP. AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD) & SERVICE BULLETIN (SB) WERE IN EFFECT DIRECTING INSTALLATION OF RIVETS WITHIN 300 HRS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE LOSS OF TAILROTOR CONTROL. DUE TO SEASONAL USE, HELICOPTER HAD LESS THAN 160 HRS SINCE ISSUANCE OF THE AD. TAIL ROTOR BLADE FOUND INTACT WAS 40% DEBONDED, BUT WOULD PASS A 'TAP TEST' IAW MANUFACTURER'S SB. FAILED BLADE ESTIMATED TO BE 90% DEBONDED. DAILY VISUAL INSPECTION REQUIRED BY SB REPORTEDLY DID NOT DETECT DEBONDING IN PROGRESS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN8697F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEberle Terrance
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 375
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 8 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO