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NTSB Report
April 11, 1987 · Hughes 369E · N5200W
Palm Desert, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Palm Desert, CA
Aircraft
Hughes 369E
Tail Number
N5200W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87FA173
THE HELICOPTER DSCNDD UNCONTROLLED & CRASHED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE PLT SAID HE AGREED TO ORBIT THE RESIDENCE OF HIS PAX. AT THE APRX 135 DEG POINT OF A LEFT ORBIT, HE FELT 'A BANG & SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE TAIL.' THE PLT LOST DRCTNL CTL & THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SPINNING TO THE RIGHT. AN EXAM OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX (T/R GB) ASSY REVEALED 3 OF 4 T/R GB MOUNTING STUDS HAD FAILED FROM CYCLIC FATIGUE DUE TO BENDING WHICH HAD RESULTED FROM A LOSS OF CLAMP-UP TORQUE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LOWER RIGHT EAR OF THE T/R GB (AT THE LCTN OF THE 4TH STUD) FAILED FROM OVERLOAD & THE T/R GB SEPD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT 3 WASHERS HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON EACH OF THE MOUNTING STUDS, BUT ONLY ONE WAS PERMITTED. THE WASHERS WERE INSTALLED DURING COMPLIANCE WITH AD 86-20-07, 78 FLT HRS BEFORE THE ACDNT.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER DSCNDD UNCONTROLLED & CRASHED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE PLT SAID HE AGREED TO ORBIT THE RESIDENCE OF HIS PAX. AT THE APRX 135 DEG POINT OF A LEFT ORBIT, HE FELT 'A BANG & SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE TAIL.' THE PLT LOST DRCTNL CTL & THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SPINNING TO THE RIGHT. AN EXAM OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX (T/R GB) ASSY REVEALED 3 OF 4 T/R GB MOUNTING STUDS HAD FAILED FROM CYCLIC FATIGUE DUE TO BENDING WHICH HAD RESULTED FROM A LOSS OF CLAMP-UP TORQUE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LOWER RIGHT EAR OF THE T/R GB (AT THE LCTN OF THE 4TH STUD) FAILED FROM OVERLOAD & THE T/R GB SEPD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT 3 WASHERS HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON EACH OF THE MOUNTING STUDS, BUT ONLY ONE WAS PERMITTED. THE WASHERS WERE INSTALLED DURING COMPLIANCE WITH AD 86-20-07, 78 FLT HRS BEFORE THE ACDNT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:35 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369E
Tail NumberN5200W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 270
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 3 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 18000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:47
Weather SourceWFAC