ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 31104
Last updated: 2 August 2020
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| Date: | 11-MAR-1997 |
| Time: | 10:00 EST |
| Type: |  Bell UH-1B |
| Owner/operator: | Helicorp |
| Registration: | N70696 |
| C/n / msn: | 608 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | LaBelle, Florida -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Test |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
A main rotor blade had been changed during troubleshooting of the main rotor system. While in a hover to track and balance the rotor system, the other main rotor blade and grip separated.
Examination showed the main rotor blade and grip separated due to fatigue cracking of 40 out of 49 main blade strap laminates. The blade that had been changed and did not separate was found to have 26 out of 49 main blade strap laminates separated due to fatigue. The fatigue initiated at the strap pin hole. The main blade straps have a life limit of 1,200 flight hours.
Logbook records showed the main blade straps were installed in the rotor hub assembly during overhaul in Singapore, 640.4 flight hours before failure. The main rotor straps were reported to be new when installed.
Sources:
http://dms.ntsb.gov/aviation/AccidentReports/1yk2wm45cw5gprv555uyhe451/G10312011120000.pdf
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Sep-2008 01:00 | ASN archive | Added |
| 31-Oct-2011 10:24 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Country, Phase, Nature, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
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