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September 7, 1986 · Hughes 369HS/H-500 369HS/H-50 · N9181F
Waterloo, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Waterloo, AL
Aircraft
Hughes 369HS/H-500 369HS/H-50
Tail Number
N9181F
Operator
Burgundy Farms
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA251
THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE TOP OF THE SUPPORT TRUCK AND STARTED A TAKEOFF WITH A PARTIAL LOAD OF CHEMICALS TO BE APPLIED TO A LOGGED OVER FOREST AREA. ABOUT 10-15 FEET AFTER LIFT OFF THE PLT DETECTED A LOSS OF ROTOR RPM. HE WAS AT THE EDGE OF A RAVINE WITH STEEP SIDES AND HAD NO LANDING AREA AVAILABLE. HE DESCENDED THE SIDE OF THE RAVINE AND PERFORMED A MODIFIED AUTOROTATION INTO THE TOPS OF THE TREES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAVINE. THE GROUND SUPPORT MAN REPORTED SEEING A PUFF OF SMOKE AT ABOUT THE TIME THE PLT REPORTED THE POWER LOSS. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED AND EXAMINED. NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE DISCOVERED WHICH PREVENTED THE ENG FROM RUNNING. THE ENG WAS REMOVED AND SHIPPED TO THE FACTORY WHERE IT WAS RUN IN A TEST CELL. IT PERFORMEDWELL. A RECORDS CHECK REVEALED THAT HE ENG WAS SHIPPED TO BELL HELICOPTER AS A NEW 'O' TIME ENGINE. IT WAS INSTALLED IN THE HUGHES APPROXIMATELY 19 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE INSTALLATION WAS INSPECTED AND APPROVED BY THE FAA.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE TOP OF THE SUPPORT TRUCK AND STARTED A TAKEOFF WITH A PARTIAL LOAD OF CHEMICALS TO BE APPLIED TO A LOGGED OVER FOREST AREA. ABOUT 10-15 FEET AFTER LIFT OFF THE PLT DETECTED A LOSS OF ROTOR RPM. HE WAS AT THE EDGE OF A RAVINE WITH STEEP SIDES AND HAD NO LANDING AREA AVAILABLE. HE DESCENDED THE SIDE OF THE RAVINE AND PERFORMED A MODIFIED AUTOROTATION INTO THE TOPS OF THE TREES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAVINE. THE GROUND SUPPORT MAN REPORTED SEEING A PUFF OF SMOKE AT ABOUT THE TIME THE PLT REPORTED THE POWER LOSS. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED AND EXAMINED. NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE DISCOVERED WHICH PREVENTED THE ENG FROM RUNNING. THE ENG WAS REMOVED AND SHIPPED TO THE FACTORY WHERE IT WAS RUN IN A TEST CELL. IT PERFORMEDWELL. A RECORDS CHECK REVEALED THAT HE ENG WAS SHIPPED TO BELL HELICOPTER AS A NEW 'O' TIME ENGINE. IT WAS INSTALLED IN THE HUGHES APPROXIMATELY 19 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE INSTALLATION WAS INSPECTED AND APPROVED BY THE FAA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369HS/H-500 369HS/H-50
Tail NumberN9181F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBurgundy Farms
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250C18 · Turboshaft · 278
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 3 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC