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NTSB Report
March 22, 1989 · Hughes 269C · N8642F
De Kalb, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 22, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
De Kalb, IL
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N8642F
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89FA062
WHILE RETURNING FROM A POWER LINE PATROL THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE INTO TREES. THE #4 CONNECTING ROD FRACTURED THROUGH THE BEARING STRAP ON ONE SIDE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE CRANKCASE. SAFETY BOARD METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED FATIGUE BEACH MARKINGS ON THE MAJORITY OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE. ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION SHOWED DETERIORATION OF THE CENTER MAIN BEARINGS AND THE FAILURE OF THE TOP RING ON THE #1 PISTON. THE RING FAILURE HAD WORN A GROOVE IN THE PISTON ALMOST THROUGH TO THE 2ND RING GROOVE. SPARK PLUGS WERE NORMAL EXCEPT FOR OIL DEPOSITS ON THE #1 CYLINDER PLUGS. PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD ADDED 3 QTS OF OIL DURING REFUELING DAY OF ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR CONNECTING ROD WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FAILURE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE BROKEN RING IN THE NUMBER ONE PISTON AND A DETERIORATED CENTER MAIN BEARING.
Full Narrative
WHILE RETURNING FROM A POWER LINE PATROL THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE INTO TREES. THE #4 CONNECTING ROD FRACTURED THROUGH THE BEARING STRAP ON ONE SIDE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE CRANKCASE. SAFETY BOARD METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED FATIGUE BEACH MARKINGS ON THE MAJORITY OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE. ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION SHOWED DETERIORATION OF THE CENTER MAIN BEARINGS AND THE FAILURE OF THE TOP RING ON THE #1 PISTON. THE RING FAILURE HAD WORN A GROOVE IN THE PISTON ALMOST THROUGH TO THE 2ND RING GROOVE. SPARK PLUGS WERE NORMAL EXCEPT FOR OIL DEPOSITS ON THE #1 CYLINDER PLUGS. PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD ADDED 3 QTS OF OIL DURING REFUELING DAY OF ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:01 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN8642F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO360D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC