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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 6, 1986 · Hiller FH-1100 · N5068F

Abilene, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Abilene, TX
Aircraft
Hiller FH-1100
Tail Number
N5068F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW86LA164

THE PLT WAS CONDUCTING SIGHT-SEEING FLTS FROM A RODEO/FAIRGROUND AREA. DURING A CRITICAL PART OF A TAKEOFF, A TAIL ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED & THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. HE ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. AFTER SPINNING AROUND ABOUT 3 TIMES, THE PLT PULLED FULL COLLECTIVE, JUST BEFORE THE HELICOPTER CRASHED, BUT IT WAS STILL BADLY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A TAIL ROTOR TENSION-TORSION (T-T) BAR ASSEMBLY, PN 24-55106, HAD FAILED WHERE THE ATTACHMENT BOLT GOES THRU THE T-T STRAPS. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED CHLORINE RICH DEPOSITS IN THE FRACTURE AREA. THE GREASE FROM THE T-T BAR CAVITY HAD DARKENED & THE CAVITY FOR THE OTHER SET OF T-T STRAPS CONTAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID WITH AN UNPLEASANT ODOR. AN ANALYSIS OF THE GREASE REVEALED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF CHLORINE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT WATER & CHLORINE CONTAMINATION HAD RESULTED IN STRESS CORROSION & EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE T-T BAR ASSEMBLY.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS CONDUCTING SIGHT-SEEING FLTS FROM A RODEO/FAIRGROUND AREA. DURING A CRITICAL PART OF A TAKEOFF, A TAIL ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED & THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. HE ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. AFTER SPINNING AROUND ABOUT 3 TIMES, THE PLT PULLED FULL COLLECTIVE, JUST BEFORE THE HELICOPTER CRASHED, BUT IT WAS STILL BADLY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A TAIL ROTOR TENSION-TORSION (T-T) BAR ASSEMBLY, PN 24-55106, HAD FAILED WHERE THE ATTACHMENT BOLT GOES THRU THE T-T STRAPS. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED CHLORINE RICH DEPOSITS IN THE FRACTURE AREA. THE GREASE FROM THE T-T BAR CAVITY HAD DARKENED & THE CAVITY FOR THE OTHER SET OF T-T STRAPS CONTAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID WITH AN UNPLEASANT ODOR. AN ANALYSIS OF THE GREASE REVEALED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF CHLORINE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT WATER & CHLORINE CONTAMINATION HAD RESULTED IN STRESS CORROSION & EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE T-T BAR ASSEMBLY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportABILENE (5nm S)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller FH-1100
Tail NumberN5068F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C18 · Turboshaft · 274
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 8 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data