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NTSB Report
May 6, 1989 · Bell 412 · N524EH
Girdwood, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Girdwood, AK
Aircraft
Bell 412
Tail Number
N524EH
Operator
Era Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC89FA069
WHILE IFR AT 10,000 FEET OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE HELCIOPTER EXPERIENCED VIOLENT VERTICAL VIBRATIONS, WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE CRASH-LANDING ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER. ON BOARD WEATHER RADAR WAS USED TO GUIDE THE HELICOPTER AROUND THE MOUNTAIN TOPS, WHICH WERE IN THE CLOUDS. AT ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE HELICOPTER CAUGHT FIRE, TAIL ROTOR CONTROL WAS LOST, BOTH ENGINES QUIT, AND CYCLIC CONTROL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY POST-CRASH FIRE. ABOUT ONE HOUR OF FLT TIME EARLIER, THE HELICOPTER HAD UNDERGONE AN INSPECTION, DURING WHICH THE MAIN ROTOR FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM BOLTS HAD BEEN RETORQUED. ALL BUT ONE OF THESE BOLTS WERE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE. HOWEVER, THE ROD END FOR THE MISSING BOLT WAS FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
A MAIN ROTOR FLIGHT CONTROL BOLT (PART NUMBER 20-057-6-38D) CAME OUT OF ITS ROD END BEARING WHILE IN FLIGHT DUE TO THE BOLT BEING IMPROPERLY TORQUED DURING MAINTENANCE.
Full Narrative
WHILE IFR AT 10,000 FEET OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE HELCIOPTER EXPERIENCED VIOLENT VERTICAL VIBRATIONS, WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE CRASH-LANDING ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER. ON BOARD WEATHER RADAR WAS USED TO GUIDE THE HELICOPTER AROUND THE MOUNTAIN TOPS, WHICH WERE IN THE CLOUDS. AT ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE HELICOPTER CAUGHT FIRE, TAIL ROTOR CONTROL WAS LOST, BOTH ENGINES QUIT, AND CYCLIC CONTROL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY POST-CRASH FIRE. ABOUT ONE HOUR OF FLT TIME EARLIER, THE HELICOPTER HAD UNDERGONE AN INSPECTION, DURING WHICH THE MAIN ROTOR FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM BOLTS HAD BEEN RETORQUED. ALL BUT ONE OF THESE BOLTS WERE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE. HOWEVER, THE ROD END FOR THE MISSING BOLT WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:38 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 412
Tail NumberN524EH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEra Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6T-3B · Turboshaft · 1025
Seats13
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 4 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:51
Weather SourceWFAC