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NTSB Report
September 28, 1989 · Aerospatiale AS 350D · N57689
Chamblee, GA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Chamblee, GA
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS 350D
Tail Number
N57689
Operator
Dooley Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89FA220
AS THE HELICOPTER APPROACHED THE AIRPORT, IT WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH UP & YAW UNCONTROLLABLY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ROTOR SYSTEM SLOWED AS THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO IMPACT ON A CITY GOLF COURSE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MAIN ROTOR SWASHPLATE BEARING HAD FAILED FROM INADEQUATE LUBRICATION. THE STATIONARY SWASHPLATE VENTING HOLE HAD NOT BEEN BLOCKED OFF IN ACCORDANCE WITH AEROSPATIALE SVC BULLETIN #62.02. THE PURPOSE OF THE SVC BULLETIN WAS TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OF THE LUBRICANT. THE SWASHPLATE BEARING HAD BEEN LUBRICATED 249 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. PRIORITY AD 89-21-01 WAS ISSUED TO REDUCE THE LUBRICATION INTERVAL FROM 400 TO 100 HOURS & TO BLOCK THE VENT HOLE IN THE STATIONARY SWASHPLATE. THE FUEL FLOW CONTROL LEVER & FUEL SHUT-OFF CONTROL WERE FOUND IN THE CLOSED POSITION (AS IF THE PLT HAD SHUT DOWN THE ENG BEFORE THE ACDNT).
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR SWASHPLATE BEARING DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICANT.
Full Narrative
AS THE HELICOPTER APPROACHED THE AIRPORT, IT WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH UP & YAW UNCONTROLLABLY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ROTOR SYSTEM SLOWED AS THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO IMPACT ON A CITY GOLF COURSE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MAIN ROTOR SWASHPLATE BEARING HAD FAILED FROM INADEQUATE LUBRICATION. THE STATIONARY SWASHPLATE VENTING HOLE HAD NOT BEEN BLOCKED OFF IN ACCORDANCE WITH AEROSPATIALE SVC BULLETIN #62.02. THE PURPOSE OF THE SVC BULLETIN WAS TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OF THE LUBRICANT. THE SWASHPLATE BEARING HAD BEEN LUBRICATED 249 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. PRIORITY AD 89-21-01 WAS ISSUED TO REDUCE THE LUBRICATION INTERVAL FROM 400 TO 100 HOURS & TO BLOCK THE VENT HOLE IN THE STATIONARY SWASHPLATE. THE FUEL FLOW CONTROL LEVER & FUEL SHUT-OFF CONTROL WERE FOUND IN THE CLOSED POSITION (AS IF THE PLT HAD SHUT DOWN THE ENG BEFORE THE ACDNT).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS 350D
Tail NumberN57689
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDooley Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101-600A2 · Turboshaft · 531
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 9 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:19
Weather SourceWFAC