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NTSB Report
February 15, 1983 · Hughes 369HS · N3280K
Paducah, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Paducah, KY
Aircraft
Hughes 369HS
Tail Number
N3280K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83LA103
THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN AUTOROTATION INTO AN OPEN FIELD AFTER A CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CHIP LIGHT IS USED FOR DETECTING METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX. EXAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION REVEALED METAL PARTICLES ON THE PLUG WHICH WERE FROM THE TRIPLEX BEARING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL CAPABLE OF OPERATION AND SUSTAINING FLT ACCORDING TO THE FAA EXAMINER. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT WAS EMPTY OF FUEL WHEN EXAMINED ATTHE SCENE. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT FUEL EXHAUSTION THE PLT SAID HE DRAINED THE FUEL ABOARD THE ACFT IN PREPARATION FOR MOVING IT.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN AUTOROTATION INTO AN OPEN FIELD AFTER A CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CHIP LIGHT IS USED FOR DETECTING METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX. EXAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION REVEALED METAL PARTICLES ON THE PLUG WHICH WERE FROM THE TRIPLEX BEARING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL CAPABLE OF OPERATION AND SUSTAINING FLT ACCORDING TO THE FAA EXAMINER. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT WAS EMPTY OF FUEL WHEN EXAMINED ATTHE SCENE. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT FUEL EXHAUSTION THE PLT SAID HE DRAINED THE FUEL ABOARD THE ACFT IN PREPARATION FOR MOVING IT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:14 CST
Nearest AirportBarkley Regional (5nm SSE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369HS
Tail NumberN3280K
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250C-18A · Turboshaft · 278
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO