ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 39336
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| Date: | Monday 30 August 1999 |
| Time: | 19:02 LT |
| Type: | Rotordyne 200 |
| Owner/operator: | Mellema, Roger, D. |
| Registration: | N85Z |
| MSN: | 1 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 56 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-290-D2 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Kent, WA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | (S36) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The co-owner/builder had been engaged in resetting the angle of attack (pitch angle) of the main rotor blades previous to the accident. Witnesses reported observing the gyrocopter depart to the south, proceed west, and then execute several oscillatory, rocking or pitching like maneuvers after which the aircraft entered a steep descent to the ground. Post-crash examination revealed that all eight of the main rotor blade pitch adjustment bolts were loose. Examination of the upper outboard shim plate of each blade attach bar revealed markings which clearly established a pitch bolt torque of 190 inch-pounds. Release of the main rotor blade pitch adjustment bolts would allow a rotor blade pitch change and subsequent loss of control.
Probable Cause: The owner/builder's failure to properly torque the rotor blade retaining bolts.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB SEA99LA151
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:23 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 14-Dec-2017 08:47 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Operator, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Plane category] |
| 07-Apr-2024 18:19 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Phase, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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