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NTSB Report
November 5, 1984 · Westland Helicopters WG30 · N5840T
Santa Ana, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
November 5, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Santa Ana, CA
Aircraft
Westland Helicopters WG30
Tail Number
N5840T
Operator
Evergreen Helicopters of Ak
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
LAX85IA040
DURING A CLIMB TO CRUISE, THE CREW EXPERIENCED CONTROL DIFFICULTIES WHEN THE FOR-&-AFT TRIM ACTUATOR BEGAN TO MOTOR FORWARD AND WOULD NOT STOP. AN EMERG DESCENT WAS MADE WITH BOTH PLTS EXERTING AFT CYCLIC PRESSURE TO PREVENT THE SPEED FROM INCREASING OVER 120 KTS. THE ACFT RETURNED SUCCESSFULLY TO THE DEPARTURE ARPT. ALL GAGES INDICATED NORMAL AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE OBSERVED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE FB 10 ELECTRICAL RELAY AND SUBSEQUENT FOULING OF THE CONTACT OPERATION BY A BROKEN FRAGMENT. THE RELAY SPRING FAILED FROM FATIGUE, INITIATED AS MICRO CRACKS WHICH RESULTED FROM COLD FORMING BENDING AND SUBSEQUENT STRAIGHTENING PROCESS DURING MANUFACTURE.
Full Narrative
DURING A CLIMB TO CRUISE, THE CREW EXPERIENCED CONTROL DIFFICULTIES WHEN THE FOR-&-AFT TRIM ACTUATOR BEGAN TO MOTOR FORWARD AND WOULD NOT STOP. AN EMERG DESCENT WAS MADE WITH BOTH PLTS EXERTING AFT CYCLIC PRESSURE TO PREVENT THE SPEED FROM INCREASING OVER 120 KTS. THE ACFT RETURNED SUCCESSFULLY TO THE DEPARTURE ARPT. ALL GAGES INDICATED NORMAL AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE OBSERVED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE FB 10 ELECTRICAL RELAY AND SUBSEQUENT FOULING OF THE CONTACT OPERATION BY A BROKEN FRAGMENT. THE RELAY SPRING FAILED FROM FATIGUE, INITIATED AS MICRO CRACKS WHICH RESULTED FROM COLD FORMING BENDING AND SUBSEQUENT STRAIGHTENING PROCESS DURING MANUFACTURE.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time21:45 PST
Nearest AirportJohn Wayne (3nm WSW)
Runway19
Runway Length2887 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftWestland Helicopters WG30
Tail NumberN5840T
Aircraft CategoryHeli
OperatorEvergreen Helicopters of Ak
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · GEM 510 · Turboshaft · 1050
Seats18
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time05:45
Weather SourceWFAC