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NTSB Report
November 15, 1990 · Hughes 269C · N9280F
Louisville, KY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Louisville, KY
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N9280F
Operator
Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO91LA014
THE PILOT WAS PATROLLING A PIPELINE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE DID AN AUTOROTATION LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD CAP HAD FRACTURED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE REVEALED A FATIGUE CRACK HAD ORIGINATED FROM A GALLING MARK ON THE BEARING SURFACE OF THE ROD. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED 39 HOURS SINCE IT WAS LAST OVERHAULED.
NTSB Probable Cause
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS PATROLLING A PIPELINE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE DID AN AUTOROTATION LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD CAP HAD FRACTURED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE REVEALED A FATIGUE CRACK HAD ORIGINATED FROM A GALLING MARK ON THE BEARING SURFACE OF THE ROD. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED 39 HOURS SINCE IT WAS LAST OVERHAULED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN9280F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC