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NTSB Report
April 18, 1987 · Hunter Executive · N9728N
Arcola, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Arcola, TX
Aircraft
Hunter Executive
Tail Number
N9728N
Operator
David Hunter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87DRA02
THE ACFT WAS BEING TEST FLOWN FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF A TAIL ROTOR DRIVE BELT. FOLLOWING A GROUND RUN UP AND GROUND TAXI, SEVERAL HOVERING FLTS WERE MADE SUCCESSFULLY. AS THE NON-HELICOPTER RATED PLT WAS HOVERING BACK TO THE PARKING AREA, HE HEARD THE BELT BEGIN SLIPPING AND THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER ROTATED TO THE LEFT. APPLICATION OF RIGHT PEDAL DID NOT ARREST THE LEFT YAW AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND HARD WHILE IN A LEFT YAW WITH THE RIGHT SKID DOWN. FOLLOWING INITIAL IMPACT THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE AND WAS CONSUMED BY A POST IMPACT FIRE WHICH ALSO DESTROYED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE BELT.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS BEING TEST FLOWN FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF A TAIL ROTOR DRIVE BELT. FOLLOWING A GROUND RUN UP AND GROUND TAXI, SEVERAL HOVERING FLTS WERE MADE SUCCESSFULLY. AS THE NON-HELICOPTER RATED PLT WAS HOVERING BACK TO THE PARKING AREA, HE HEARD THE BELT BEGIN SLIPPING AND THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER ROTATED TO THE LEFT. APPLICATION OF RIGHT PEDAL DID NOT ARREST THE LEFT YAW AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND HARD WHILE IN A LEFT YAW WITH THE RIGHT SKID DOWN. FOLLOWING INITIAL IMPACT THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE AND WAS CONSUMED BY A POST IMPACT FIRE WHICH ALSO DESTROYED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE BELT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest AirportArcola/Houston (0nm N)
Runway10
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHunter Executive
Tail NumberN9728N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDavid Hunter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RW152 · Reciprocating · 152
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter28.00 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC