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NTSB Report
May 24, 1983 · Enstrom 280C · N51763
Goshen, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Goshen, CA
Aircraft
Enstrom 280C
Tail Number
N51763
Operator
Norman L Clark
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA248
ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF, THE PLT NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE TAIL ROTOR. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. HE REPORTED THAT DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, HE HAD INSUFFICIENT COLLECTIVE TO FLARE PROPERLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM, AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR AFT DRIVE COUPLING, PN 28-13609, HAD FAILED. ALL OF THE INTERNAL GEAR TEETH ON THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE COUPLING WERE STRIPPED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF INADEQUATE LUBRICATION.
Full Narrative
ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF, THE PLT NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE TAIL ROTOR. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. HE REPORTED THAT DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, HE HAD INSUFFICIENT COLLECTIVE TO FLARE PROPERLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM, AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR AFT DRIVE COUPLING, PN 28-13609, HAD FAILED. ALL OF THE INTERNAL GEAR TEETH ON THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE COUPLING WERE STRIPPED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF INADEQUATE LUBRICATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom 280C
Tail NumberN51763
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNorman L Clark
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-E1BD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO