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NTSB Report
October 5, 1988 · Hughes 269C · N8602F
Vero Beach, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 5, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Vero Beach, FL
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N8602F
Operator
Flight Safety Int L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA89FA004
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE DOING A STUCK LEFT PEDAL MANEUVER, THE HELICOPTER WAS FLOWN WITH A 5 DEGREE YAW TO THE LEFT. AS THE AIRSPEED ZEROED, THE COLLECTIVE WAS BROUGHT IN TO BRING THE NOSE AROUND AND LIGHT CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE GROUND. HE THEN STATED THAT GROUND RESONANCE STARTED AND PROGRESSED SO RAPIDLY THAT THE HELICOPTER DESTROYED ITSELF ALMOST IMMEDIATLY. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE THREE BLADE FRICTION DAMPERS REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE BRONZE PLATES INSIDE THE DAMPERS WERE WORN BEYOND ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD STOPPED THREE TIMES DURING THE FLIGHT TO RE-PHASE THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE DOING A STUCK LEFT PEDAL MANEUVER, THE HELICOPTER WAS FLOWN WITH A 5 DEGREE YAW TO THE LEFT. AS THE AIRSPEED ZEROED, THE COLLECTIVE WAS BROUGHT IN TO BRING THE NOSE AROUND AND LIGHT CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE GROUND. HE THEN STATED THAT GROUND RESONANCE STARTED AND PROGRESSED SO RAPIDLY THAT THE HELICOPTER DESTROYED ITSELF ALMOST IMMEDIATLY. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE THREE BLADE FRICTION DAMPERS REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE BRONZE PLATES INSIDE THE DAMPERS WERE WORN BEYOND ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD STOPPED THREE TIMES DURING THE FLIGHT TO RE-PHASE THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:10 EDT
Nearest AirportVero Beach (0nm N)
Runway29R
Runway Length2650 ft
Runway Width5 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN8602F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFlight Safety Int L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:50