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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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May 2, 1988 · Hughes 269C · N58197

Greenwood, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Greenwood, SC
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N58197
Operator
Mid-State/Exec Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA161

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DROP. SHORTLY AFTER HE TOOK OFF FROM AN OPEN FIELD. HE OPENED THE THROTTLE FURTHER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN RPM BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE HELICOPTER SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED ONTO A BLDG ROOF AS THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND WHILE AVOIDING PWR LINES AND OTHER OBSTACLES. POST-CRASH EXAM REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE-CABLE END-FITTING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE THROTTLE CABLE PUSHROD AT THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE FITTING AND PUSHROD JOINING THREADS REVEALED UNEVEN WEAR THAT HAD RESULTED FROM FRETTING. SERVICE NOTICE N-196 ISSUED BY THE MFR REQUIRES INSPECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE FOR WEAR EVERY 100 OPERATING HRS. THE NOTICE WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH AT THE LAST INSPECTION 4 FLT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT MAINT RECORDS, THE NOTICE WAS LAST COMPLIED WITH ABOUT 189 HRS EARLIER.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DROP. SHORTLY AFTER HE TOOK OFF FROM AN OPEN FIELD. HE OPENED THE THROTTLE FURTHER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN RPM BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE HELICOPTER SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED ONTO A BLDG ROOF AS THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND WHILE AVOIDING PWR LINES AND OTHER OBSTACLES. POST-CRASH EXAM REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE-CABLE END-FITTING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE THROTTLE CABLE PUSHROD AT THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE FITTING AND PUSHROD JOINING THREADS REVEALED UNEVEN WEAR THAT HAD RESULTED FROM FRETTING. SERVICE NOTICE N-196 ISSUED BY THE MFR REQUIRES INSPECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE FOR WEAR EVERY 100 OPERATING HRS. THE NOTICE WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH AT THE LAST INSPECTION 4 FLT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT MAINT RECORDS, THE NOTICE WAS LAST COMPLIED WITH ABOUT 189 HRS EARLIER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN58197
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMid-State/Exec Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 6 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data