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NTSB Report
June 5, 1990 · Hughes 369HS · N8315F
Brookville, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 5, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Brookville, PA
Aircraft
Hughes 369HS
Tail Number
N8315F
Operator
Helicopter Minit Men
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC90LA125
DURING A POWER LINE PATROL FLT OVER WOODED TERRIAN, AT ABOUT 60 TO 85 FT AGL, TAILROTOR CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SPINNING FASTER. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SETTLED ONTO THE POWER LINE, THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR SWASHPLATE HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE SWASHPLATE OUTER DIAMETER WAS WORN WITH EVIDENCE OF SPALLING, THE BEARING INNER DIAMETER WAS LIGHTLY SCORED, THE SWASHPLATE THREADS WERE SEVERELY WORN WITH EVIDENCE OF SPALLING DUE TO RELATIVE MOTION WITH THE MATING THREADS OF THE LOCKNUT, AND THE LOCKWASHER TANG HAD WORN A SIGNIFICANT PATTERN IN THE SWASHPLATE KEYWAY.
NTSB Probable Cause
WORN TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL ASSEMBLY, DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE/INSTALLATION, AND SUBSEQUENT FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR SWASHPLATE.
Full Narrative
DURING A POWER LINE PATROL FLT OVER WOODED TERRIAN, AT ABOUT 60 TO 85 FT AGL, TAILROTOR CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SPINNING FASTER. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SETTLED ONTO THE POWER LINE, THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR SWASHPLATE HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE SWASHPLATE OUTER DIAMETER WAS WORN WITH EVIDENCE OF SPALLING, THE BEARING INNER DIAMETER WAS LIGHTLY SCORED, THE SWASHPLATE THREADS WERE SEVERELY WORN WITH EVIDENCE OF SPALLING DUE TO RELATIVE MOTION WITH THE MATING THREADS OF THE LOCKNUT, AND THE LOCKWASHER TANG HAD WORN A SIGNIFICANT PATTERN IN THE SWASHPLATE KEYWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369HS
Tail NumberN8315F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHelicopter Minit Men
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 278
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO