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NTSB Report
October 22, 1986 · Enstrom F-28F · N8617B
Manhattan, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Manhattan, NY
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28F
Tail Number
N8617B
Operator
Spectrum Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87MA024
THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONTRACTED BY NBC TO MAKE DAILY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC OBSERVATIONS IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER, AN NBC RADIO TRAFFIC REPORTER, WERE FLYING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION ALONG MANHATTAN'S WEST SIDE AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 75 FEET. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES STOP, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY, STRUCK THE TOP OF A CHAIN LINK FENCE AT A RIVER PIER, CRASHED INTO THE HUDSON RIVER AND SANK IN 15 TO 20 FEET OF WATER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE SPRAG CLUTCH WAS INADEQUATELY LUBRICATED, HAD 'ROLLED OVER' IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF ITS DESIGN AND THE SPRAG ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED. SEVERAL SPRAGS AND BOTH ACTIVATING SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND DIFFERENT SIZE SPRAGS WERE INSTALLED. AN UNAUTHORIZED, OVERHAULED CLUTCH HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONTRACTED BY NBC TO MAKE DAILY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC OBSERVATIONS IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER, AN NBC RADIO TRAFFIC REPORTER, WERE FLYING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION ALONG MANHATTAN'S WEST SIDE AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 75 FEET. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES STOP, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY, STRUCK THE TOP OF A CHAIN LINK FENCE AT A RIVER PIER, CRASHED INTO THE HUDSON RIVER AND SANK IN 15 TO 20 FEET OF WATER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE SPRAG CLUTCH WAS INADEQUATELY LUBRICATED, HAD 'ROLLED OVER' IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF ITS DESIGN AND THE SPRAG ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED. SEVERAL SPRAGS AND BOTH ACTIVATING SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND DIFFERENT SIZE SPRAGS WERE INSTALLED. AN UNAUTHORIZED, OVERHAULED CLUTCH HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom F-28F
Tail NumberN8617B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSpectrum Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-F1AD · Reciprocating · 225
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT