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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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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May 27, 1984 · Hughes 369D · N5102Z

Kearney, NE

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 1984
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Kearney, NE
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N5102Z
Operator
Dr L L Hyde
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC84FA147

DURING RETURN TO ARPT FROM A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PLT DIVERTED TO OBSERVE PROPERTY OF A PERSONAL FRIEND, LOCATED ALONG A RIVER BANK. THE PLT WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ABOUT 200 FT AGL AT 40 TO 50 KTS AIRSPEED WHEN VIBRATION WAS FELT IN THE ANTI-TORQUE PEDALS & THE ACFT ENTERED AN UPRIGHT, VERTICAL DESCENT, SPINNING ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS UNTIL IMPACTING THROUGH THE ROOF OF A METAL STORAGE BUILDING LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT FLUCTATION IN THE FREE TURBINE GOVERNOR & FUEL CONTROL WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN IN IT'S POST-CRASH CONDITION. THE PLT OF THE MEDICAL RESCUE HELICOPTER RESPONDING TO THE SCENE STATED HE HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING HIS ACFT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH DUE TO TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS IN A 20 KT WIND ASSOCIATED WITH DENSE FOREST ALONG THE RIVER.

Full Narrative

DURING RETURN TO ARPT FROM A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PLT DIVERTED TO OBSERVE PROPERTY OF A PERSONAL FRIEND, LOCATED ALONG A RIVER BANK. THE PLT WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ABOUT 200 FT AGL AT 40 TO 50 KTS AIRSPEED WHEN VIBRATION WAS FELT IN THE ANTI-TORQUE PEDALS & THE ACFT ENTERED AN UPRIGHT, VERTICAL DESCENT, SPINNING ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS UNTIL IMPACTING THROUGH THE ROOF OF A METAL STORAGE BUILDING LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT FLUCTATION IN THE FREE TURBINE GOVERNOR & FUEL CONTROL WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN IN IT'S POST-CRASH CONDITION. THE PLT OF THE MEDICAL RESCUE HELICOPTER RESPONDING TO THE SCENE STATED HE HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING HIS ACFT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH DUE TO TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS IN A 20 KT WIND ASSOCIATED WITH DENSE FOREST ALONG THE RIVER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN5102Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDr L L Hyde
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal1
Serious3
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data