ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 42593
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Monday 17 May 1999 |
| Time: | 16:08 LT |
| Type: |  Bell OH-58A Kiowa |
| Owner/operator: | Missouri State Highway Patrol |
| Registration: | N77MP |
| MSN: | 72-21187 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1972 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4443 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison T63-A-720 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Poplar Bluff, Missouri -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Malden, MO (KMAW) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The helicopter departed controlled flight while en route to the Poplar Bluff Airport, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. A witness stated that the helicopter appeared to be 450 feet agl. The helicopter was then reported by the witness to have made three to four rotations during its descent. The OH-58A/C lists procedures for the 'COMPLETE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR THRUST'. Examination of the tail rotor drive shaft revealed a 45-degree torsional fracture. There was rotational scoring near the fracture area on the interior housing for the tail rotor drive shaft. An elastic material with navy blue yarns was found wrapped around the tail rotor. The yarns were consistent with those of a navy blue warm up jacket found along the reported flight path. The helicopter's entry doors were removed for the flight.
Probable Cause: The tail rotor's impact with the blue warm-up jacket and the subsequent overload of the tail rotor drive shaft. A contributing factor was the absence of the helicopter's entry doors.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CHI99GA155
FAA register: NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20001212X18711&key=1
FAA register: 2. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=77MP
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 09-Apr-2015 22:08 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Cn, Location, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:24 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 26-Nov-2017 15:16 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Cn, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 08-Apr-2024 06:05 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Cn, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation