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NTSB Report
June 14, 1989 · Oregon Helicopters UH-1L · N157LC
Baring, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Baring, WA
Aircraft
Oregon Helicopters UH-1L
Tail Number
N157LC
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA89FA111
WHILE LIFTING A LOG THE CREW HEARD UNUSUAL NOISES & FELT VIBRATIONS. THEY RELEASED THE LOG & FLEW TO A LANDING SITE TO CHECK THE AIRCRAFT. WHILE AT A HIGH HOVER THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SPINNING AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED TAIL ROTOR 42 DEG GEARBOX. THE BOARD'S METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT THE GEARBOX'S INPUT SPIRAL BEVEL GEAR HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE ENG N2 TORQUE WAS RED-LINED AT 55 LBS. PILOT STATED THAT A DASH-5 TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED RATED FOR 60 LBS, BUT OBSERVED MARKED 55 LB LIMIT. NAVY OPERATORS MANUAL AND FAA TYPE CERTIFICATE BOTH LIST N2 TORQUE LIMIT AS 50 LBS.
NTSB Probable Cause
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR 42 DEGREE GEAR BOX DUE TO PILOT INDUCED OVERSTRESS. NAVY DATA AND FAA TYPE CERTIFICATE LIMITATIONS WERE NOT ADHERED TO.
Full Narrative
WHILE LIFTING A LOG THE CREW HEARD UNUSUAL NOISES & FELT VIBRATIONS. THEY RELEASED THE LOG & FLEW TO A LANDING SITE TO CHECK THE AIRCRAFT. WHILE AT A HIGH HOVER THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SPINNING AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED TAIL ROTOR 42 DEG GEARBOX. THE BOARD'S METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT THE GEARBOX'S INPUT SPIRAL BEVEL GEAR HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE ENG N2 TORQUE WAS RED-LINED AT 55 LBS. PILOT STATED THAT A DASH-5 TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED RATED FOR 60 LBS, BUT OBSERVED MARKED 55 LB LIMIT. NAVY OPERATORS MANUAL AND FAA TYPE CERTIFICATE BOTH LIST N2 TORQUE LIMIT AS 50 LBS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftOregon Helicopters UH-1L
Tail NumberN157LC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T53-L13B · Turboshaft · 1400
Seats9
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC