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NTSB Report
August 5, 1989 · Hughes 269C · N81AM
Hollywood, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Hollywood, FL
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N81AM
Operator
Crescent Airways
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA89LA243
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING COCKPIT AND RUNUP PROCEDURES TO THE STUDENT, WHEN THE HELICOPTER BECAME LIGHT ON THE SKIDS WITH OPERATING RPM & GROUND RESONANCE DEVELOPED. THE INSTRUCTOR BOTTOMED THE PITCH & SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE GROUND RESONANCE BECAME WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL BOOM WAS CHOPPED OFF BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, A FUEL CELL RUPTURED & A FIRE ERUPTED. ACCORDING TO AN FAA HANDBOOK (AC 61-13B), THE CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR GETTING OUT OF GROUND RESONANCE WAS TO LIFT OFF. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK STRUT WAS LOW.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE SEVERE FUSELAGE VIBRATION (GROUND RESONANCE) AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION TO AVOID OR COMPENSATE FOR THE OCCURRENCE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW SHOCK STRUT.
Full Narrative
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING COCKPIT AND RUNUP PROCEDURES TO THE STUDENT, WHEN THE HELICOPTER BECAME LIGHT ON THE SKIDS WITH OPERATING RPM & GROUND RESONANCE DEVELOPED. THE INSTRUCTOR BOTTOMED THE PITCH & SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE GROUND RESONANCE BECAME WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL BOOM WAS CHOPPED OFF BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, A FUEL CELL RUPTURED & A FIRE ERUPTED. ACCORDING TO AN FAA HANDBOOK (AC 61-13B), THE CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR GETTING OUT OF GROUND RESONANCE WAS TO LIFT OFF. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK STRUT WAS LOW.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 EDT
Nearest AirportNorth Perry (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN81AM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCrescent Airways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:58
Weather SourceWFAC