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NTSB Report
July 2, 1984 · Hughes 269C · N58397
Mt. St. Helens, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Mt. St. Helens, WA
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N58397
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA84LA153
THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT THE 5500 FT LEVEL ON MT. ST. HELENS. DENSITY ALT AT THE TIME WAS 7500 FT. AT APRX 40-50 FT AGLENGINE AND ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECAY RAPIDLY. THE ACFT LANDED HARD ON A ROCK LEDGE WITH ONE SKID PARTIALLY OFF THE LEDGE.AS ROTOR RPM CONTINUED TO DECAY THE ROTOR DISC COULD NO LONGER SUPPORT THE HELICOPTER AND IT ROLLED 100 FT DOWN THE MOUNTAIN SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. MAINTENANCE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE SEVERLY WORN. WHEN TESTED, FOUR OUT OF EIGHT PLUGS FIRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE LEFT MAGNETO ALSO HAD BURNED POINTS.
Full Narrative
THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT THE 5500 FT LEVEL ON MT. ST. HELENS. DENSITY ALT AT THE TIME WAS 7500 FT. AT APRX 40-50 FT AGLENGINE AND ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECAY RAPIDLY. THE ACFT LANDED HARD ON A ROCK LEDGE WITH ONE SKID PARTIALLY OFF THE LEDGE.AS ROTOR RPM CONTINUED TO DECAY THE ROTOR DISC COULD NO LONGER SUPPORT THE HELICOPTER AND IT ROLLED 100 FT DOWN THE MOUNTAIN SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. MAINTENANCE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE SEVERLY WORN. WHEN TESTED, FOUR OUT OF EIGHT PLUGS FIRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE LEFT MAGNETO ALSO HAD BURNED POINTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN58397
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility55 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC