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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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September 11, 1992 · Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · N1096X

Eagle, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1992
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Eagle, AK
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas 369D
Tail Number
N1096X
Operator
Tundra Copters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC92FA164

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT RADIOED HE WAS RETURNING DUE TO POOR VISUAL FLIGHT CONDITIONS, AND WAS LAST SEEN CIRCLING THE EAGLE RUNWAY. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND APRX 7 HRS LATER 150 YDS NORTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE BLUE M/R BLADE WAS FOUND SEPARATED; THE TRAILING ATTACHMENT LUGS OF BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BLADE ROOT FITTINGS WERE FRACTURED THROUGH THE HOLES, AND THE LEAD LAG DAMPENER LUG WAS ALSO FRACTURED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED FATIGUE PROGRESSION ON ALL FOUR ROOT FRACTURES. OPERATOR MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF AD91-17-04 REQUIREMENT TO REMOVE & INSPECT THE M/R BLADES AT 100-HR INTERVALS.

NTSB Probable Cause

AN INFLIGHT FATIGUE FAILURE AND SEPARATION OF A MAIN ROTOR BLADE, INADEQUATE OPERATOR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION, AND MATERIAL DEFECT.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT RADIOED HE WAS RETURNING DUE TO POOR VISUAL FLIGHT CONDITIONS, AND WAS LAST SEEN CIRCLING THE EAGLE RUNWAY. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND APRX 7 HRS LATER 150 YDS NORTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE BLUE M/R BLADE WAS FOUND SEPARATED; THE TRAILING ATTACHMENT LUGS OF BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BLADE ROOT FITTINGS WERE FRACTURED THROUGH THE HOLES, AND THE LEAD LAG DAMPENER LUG WAS ALSO FRACTURED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED FATIGUE PROGRESSION ON ALL FOUR ROOT FRACTURES. OPERATOR MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF AD91-17-04 REQUIREMENT TO REMOVE & INSPECT THE M/R BLADES AT 100-HR INTERVALS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:10 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas 369D
Tail NumberN1096X
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTundra Copters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data