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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 13, 1987 · Hughes 269A · N3782B

Buford, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Buford, GA
Aircraft
Hughes 269A
Tail Number
N3782B
Operator
Metro Flight Services
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87FA071

THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO SLOW DOWN OVER THE PARKING LOT THEN CONTINUED OUT OVER THE LAKE. A PUFF OF SMOKE WAS OBSERVED AROUND THE REAR OF THE ENGINE AREA AND THE HELICOPTER FISHTAILED AS IT ALMOST CAME TO A STOP THEN DROPPED INTO THE WATER NOSE FIRST. IT SANK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A HOLE IN THE CRANKCASE. THE FRACTURE SURFACES INDICATED AN INTERNAL TO EXTERNAL PUCTURE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF A ROD CAP BOLT AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE ROD FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE WAS OBSERVED. THE PILOT WAS A LOW TIME HELICOPTER PILOT WHO COULD NOT SWIM AND WAS AFRAID OF THE WATER.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO SLOW DOWN OVER THE PARKING LOT THEN CONTINUED OUT OVER THE LAKE. A PUFF OF SMOKE WAS OBSERVED AROUND THE REAR OF THE ENGINE AREA AND THE HELICOPTER FISHTAILED AS IT ALMOST CAME TO A STOP THEN DROPPED INTO THE WATER NOSE FIRST. IT SANK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A HOLE IN THE CRANKCASE. THE FRACTURE SURFACES INDICATED AN INTERNAL TO EXTERNAL PUCTURE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF A ROD CAP BOLT AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE ROD FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE WAS OBSERVED. THE PILOT WAS A LOW TIME HELICOPTER PILOT WHO COULD NOT SWIM AND WAS AFRAID OF THE WATER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:40 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269A
Tail NumberN3782B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMetro Flight Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-BIA · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 18 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:49
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data