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NTSB Report
October 8, 1988 · Hughes 500C · N506WW
Branson, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1988
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (4 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Branson, MO
Aircraft
Hughes 500C
Tail Number
N506WW
Operator
Tablerock Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89FA004
THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED FOR SIGHTSEEING WITH 5 PASSENGERS ONBOARD. THE PILOT TURNED ON FINAL APPROACH WITH 35 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED AND ENCOUNTERED A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE NOTED A SPLIT TACH AND INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT WAS OUTSIDE THE ENVELOPE FOR A SAFE RECOVERY. THE SKIDS COLLAPSED IN THE RESULTING HARD LANDING, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. METAL FLECKS WERE FOUND IN THE FREEWHEELING SPRAG ASSEMBLY, WHICH HELD VERY LITTLE OIL, BUT NO EVIDENCE OF SLIPPAGE WAS FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED FOR SIGHTSEEING WITH 5 PASSENGERS ONBOARD. THE PILOT TURNED ON FINAL APPROACH WITH 35 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED AND ENCOUNTERED A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE NOTED A SPLIT TACH AND INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT WAS OUTSIDE THE ENVELOPE FOR A SAFE RECOVERY. THE SKIDS COLLAPSED IN THE RESULTING HARD LANDING, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. METAL FLECKS WERE FOUND IN THE FREEWHEELING SPRAG ASSEMBLY, WHICH HELD VERY LITTLE OIL, BUT NO EVIDENCE OF SLIPPAGE WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 CDT
Nearest AirportTable Rock Heliport (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 500C
Tail NumberN506WW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTablerock Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 278
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (4 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 3900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:48
Weather SourceWFAC