ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 36061
Last updated: 25 May 2013
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| Date: | 12-OCT-1997 |
| Time: | 1113 |
| Type: |  Bell 206B JetRanger |
| Operator: | Royale Helicopter Service |
| Registration: | N911RH |
| C/n / msn: | 1583 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Sago, WV -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Spruce Fork, WV |
| Sawmill Run, WV (NONE) |
A helicopter was transporting passengers to a remote site when it dropped in a flat attitude and impacted into trees. A witness said he watched as the helicopter approached and circled the local area. As the helicopter flew overhead for the second time, he waved his arms to attract the pilot's attention. As the helicopter continued past him again, he thought that they were taking aerial photographs of the site. He said that the helicopter appeared to be lower and slower on its second pass overhead. Examination of the engine revealed uncommanded engine shut downs. During bench testing, the power turbine governor failed to limit fuel flow, and during disassembly it was revealed that a machine self locking hex nut had backed off the muscles valve stem. Examination of the muscles valve components revealed that the threaded valve stem was below the minimum requirements for a UNJ thread, and the flank angle was too large. The turbine governor, with zero Time Since Overhaul, was installed on the engine in January 1997. The governor was last overhauled at the manufacturer's facility during May-June 1996. CAUSE: The improper overhaul of the turbine governor by the manufacturer, which resulted in the loss of power.
Sources:
NTSB: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001208X09034
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
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