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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 5, 2007 · Hughes 369D · N500NC

Comfrey, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Comfrey, MN
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N500NC
Operator
Teryjon Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI07LA193

A helicopter sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during an aerial application spray run. The pilot reported that he "was able to land square on the skids, but the helicopter still bounced. The landing gear spread hitting the tanks, and snapping the uprights above the tanks. At that point, forward leg stuck in the ground, making the helicopter pitch forward. The blade in front made contact with the ground. The rotor system came around cutting the boom faring and tail off." The pressure line which connects to the Pg boss on the fuel control was found to be finger tight during an examination of the wreckage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to the loose pressure line during aerial application maneuvers which resulted in a hard forced landing.

Full Narrative

On July 5, 2007, about 0800 central daylight time, N500NC, registered as Hughes 369D helicopter, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during an aerial application spray run near Comfrey, Minnesota. The local aerial application flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 137. No flight plan was on file. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The origin and destination of the flight are unknown. The pilot's accident report, in part, stated: On the second pass of the second load, and in the middle of the field headed west, the engine began to spool down in RPM. I heard the engine sound of lost RPM, at that time my eyes were on the wires that the aircraft was approaching, N2 Rotor was at or about the bottom Red Line. My choices were to attempt to auto rotate across the wires, the road, and the people to the field beyond. At that split second I decided to attempt the grass area south of the field. Low N2 and air speed (about 75 mph), lowered collective attempted a 180 [degree] auto rotation, the engine and rotor seemed to speed up or surge. I attempted to do the auto as best as I could. Was able to land square on the skids, but the helicopter still bounced. The landing gear spread hitting the tanks, and snapping the uprights above the tanks. At that point, forward leg stuck in the ground, making the helicopter pitch forward. The blade in front made contact with the ground. The rotor system came around cutting the boom faring and tail off. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors examined the wreckage. The pressure line which connected to the Pg boss on the fuel control was found finger tight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN500NC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTeryjon Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data