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NTSB Report
April 28, 1989 · Brantly Helicopter B-2 · N2113U
Herkimer, NY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 28, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Herkimer, NY
Aircraft
Brantly Helicopter B-2
Tail Number
N2113U
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89FA129
THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1-1/2 MILES NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE HELIPORT. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE CASE NEAR CYLINDER #4. A LATER ENGINE TEARDOWN SHOWED THAT THE #4 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED AT THE CRANKSHAFT JOURNAL. THE JOURNAL DISPLAYED TYPICAL DISCOLORATION AND SCORING FROM OVERHEATING AND A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE OIL PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE SPRING, P/N 68668, WAS BROKEN INTO 3 PIECES. METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THAT THE SPRING FAILED IN FATIGUE WHICH PROBABLY ORIGINATED FROM PRE-EXISTING CRACKS DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT. THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THE CADMIUM PLATING ON THE SPRING WAS VERY POOR, AND PLATING IS NOT CALLED OUT IN THE ENGINEERING DRAWING.
NTSB Probable Cause
A FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DUE TO AN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE FAILURE SEQUENCE WAS INITIATED BY A FAILED OIL PRESSURE RELIEF SPRING WHICH HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE DUE TO IMPROPER PLATING OF THE SPRING. THE SPRING FAILURE CAUSED OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT AND RESULTING FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1-1/2 MILES NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE HELIPORT. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE CASE NEAR CYLINDER #4. A LATER ENGINE TEARDOWN SHOWED THAT THE #4 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED AT THE CRANKSHAFT JOURNAL. THE JOURNAL DISPLAYED TYPICAL DISCOLORATION AND SCORING FROM OVERHEATING AND A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE OIL PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE SPRING, P/N 68668, WAS BROKEN INTO 3 PIECES. METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THAT THE SPRING FAILED IN FATIGUE WHICH PROBABLY ORIGINATED FROM PRE-EXISTING CRACKS DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT. THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THE CADMIUM PLATING ON THE SPRING WAS VERY POOR, AND PLATING IS NOT CALLED OUT IN THE ENGINEERING DRAWING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBrantly Helicopter B-2
Tail NumberN2113U
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO 360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 74 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT