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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 30, 1983 · Hughes 369D (500) · N8693F

Provo, UT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Provo, UT
Aircraft
Hughes 369D (500)
Tail Number
N8693F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN83FA224

The helicopter was on a test flight to track and balance the main rotor system and to complete a 100-hour inspection. Prior to the flight, an occasional flicker of the fuel filter light was noted, but it was thought to be a wiring problem. After taking off, the fuel filter light flickered on a few more times, but never illuminated steadily. After less than a minute of flying time, the pilot felt two quick 'jerks' (yaws). He started a 180-degree turn to land. After 90 degrees of turn, the N2 decreased to 95%, then surged to 105%, then the engine quit running. The pilot initiated an autorotation, but during landing on soft, wet terrain, the helicopter rocked forward and the main rotor struck the tail boom. An exam of the helicopter revealed a 'B' nut on one of two differential pressure lines (connected to the fuel filter differential pressure switch) was loose. During the exam, the 'B' nut separated from its attach point by a half turn using finger pressure.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A TEST FLT TO TRACK & BALANCE THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM & TO COMPLETE A 100 HR INSPECTION. PRIOR TO THE FLT, AN OCCASIONAL FLICKER OF THE FUEL FILTER LIGHT WAS NOTED, BUT IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A WIRING PROBLEM. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE FUEL FILTER LIGHT FLICKERED ON A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT NEVER ILLUMINATED STEADILY. AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE OF FLYING TIME, THE PLT FELT 2 QUICK 'JERKS' (YAWS). HE START A 180 DEG TURN TO LAND. AFTER 90 DEG OF TURN, THE N2 DECREASED TO 95%, THEN SURGED TO 105%, THEN THE ENG QUIT RUNNING. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT DURING LANDING ON SOFT, WET TERRAIN, THE HELICOPTER ROCKED FORWARD & THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED A 'B' NUT ON 1 OF 2 DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE LINES (CONNECTED TO THE FUEL FILTER DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SWITCH) WAS LOOSE. DURING THE EXAM, THE 'B' NUT SEPARATED FROM ITS ATTACH POINT BY A 1/2 TURN USING FINGER PRESSURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369D (500)
Tail NumberN8693F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility45 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data