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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 10, 1986 · Hughes 269C · N58188

Charlotte, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 10, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Charlotte, NC
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N58188
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA040

WHILE FLYING AT 300' TO 500' AGL ON A CABLE PATROL FLT, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD LOISE. THE ROTOR RPM STARTED TO DECAY & THE ENG RPM INCREASED SHARPLY. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION TO A PARKING LOT, BUT HAD TO MANEUVER TO AVOID TREES & A VEHICLE. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE RGT SKID, COLLAPSING THE SKID & DAMAGING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. AN INV REVEALED THE FORWARD COUPLING SPLINES ON THE LOWER PULLEY DRIVE SHAFT, PN 269A5559-3, HAD FAILED, EFFECTIVELY DISCONNECTING THE ENG FROM THE MAIN ROTOR. THE BOOT FOR RETAINING THE LUBRICANT IN THE SPLINE AREA WAS MISSING & THE SPLINE & RECEPTACLE WERE DRY OF LUBRICANT. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ABOUT 71 HRS AFTER THE COUPLINGS HAD BEEN REPACKED WITH LUBRICANT.

Full Narrative

WHILE FLYING AT 300' TO 500' AGL ON A CABLE PATROL FLT, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD LOISE. THE ROTOR RPM STARTED TO DECAY & THE ENG RPM INCREASED SHARPLY. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION TO A PARKING LOT, BUT HAD TO MANEUVER TO AVOID TREES & A VEHICLE. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE RGT SKID, COLLAPSING THE SKID & DAMAGING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. AN INV REVEALED THE FORWARD COUPLING SPLINES ON THE LOWER PULLEY DRIVE SHAFT, PN 269A5559-3, HAD FAILED, EFFECTIVELY DISCONNECTING THE ENG FROM THE MAIN ROTOR. THE BOOT FOR RETAINING THE LUBRICANT IN THE SPLINE AREA WAS MISSING & THE SPLINE & RECEPTACLE WERE DRY OF LUBRICANT. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ABOUT 71 HRS AFTER THE COUPLINGS HAD BEEN REPACKED WITH LUBRICANT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN58188
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:52
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data