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| Date: | Thursday 9 December 2004 |
| Time: | 16:15 LT |
| Type: |  Hughes 369D |
| Owner/operator: | Aerial Solutions Inc. |
| Registration: | N7148Z |
| MSN: | 570136D |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 19906 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Zachary, Louisiana -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Zachary, LA |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
While performing aerial side-trimming of trees and bushes for a pipeline right-of -way using an external saw at an altitude of about 200 feet, the 14,000-hour pilot experienced a left yaw and what he perceived to be an engine failure. The pilot released the external load as he attempted an autorotation from an out-of-ground effect hover at 200 feet agl. Crushing damage to the airframe was consistent with a ground impact at a high rate of descent. A detailed examinations of the engine confirmed the reported loss of engine power. The engine examination revealed the Rolls-Royce manufactured compressor adapter coupling, which had been installed approximately 414 hours earlier, had disconnected the compressor assembly from the turbine assembly as a result of fatigue cracking initiated by fretting on the pilot diameter.
Probable Cause: The loss of engine power as a result of fatigue cracking of the compressor adaptor coupling initiated by fretting on the pilot diameter and subsequent disconnection of the compressor from the turbine assembly. A contributing factor was the low operating altitude of the helicopter, which made a successful autorotation by the pilot imposible.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB DFW05FA032
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Oct-2022 14:56 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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