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September 30, 2007 · Schweizer 269D · N8374F

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 30, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Schweizer 269D
Tail Number
N8374F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DFW07IA212

After a hover taxi and while approximately 5 feet above ground level, the pilot stopped the helicopter's forward movement, and was turning into the wind when he felt a "hard thump." The helicopter descended, impacted the ground, and yawed 20-30 degrees to the left before coming to rest in an upright position. The helicopter sustained minor damage. An examination of the helicopter by maintenance personnel revealed that the forward drive adapter of the engine to lower pulley drive shaft had fractured and separated from the aft coupling. This fracture separated the engine from the power train, resulting in loss of power to the main rotors. An examination of the drive adapter revealed that it had failed due to fatigue.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue failure during hover of the drive adapter between the engine and lower pulley drive shaft.

Full Narrative

On September 30, 2007, about 1705 central daylight time, a single-engine Schweizer 269D helicopter, N8374F, sustained minor damage during a forced landing at the William P Hobby Airport (HOU), near Houston, Texas. The commercial pilot and observer were not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the Houston Police Department. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that after a hover taxied and while approximately five feet above ground level, he stopped the helicopter's forward movement and was turning into the wind when he observed a "hard thump." The helicopter descended, impacted the ground, and yawed 20-30 degrees to the left before coming to rest in an upright position. An examination of the helicopter by maintenance personnel revealed that the forward drive adapter of the engine to lower pulley drive shaft, KaFlex assembly part number SKCP2738-7 fractured and separated from the aft coupling. This fracture separated the engine from the power train resulting in loss of power to the main rotors. An examination of the drive adapter was performed at Schweizer Aircraft Corporation with oversight provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. The examination revealed that the drive adapter had failed due to fatigue.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time17:05 CDT
Nearest AirportWilliam P Hobby (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 269D
Tail NumberN8374F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C20W · Turboshaft · 252
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data