ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 293238
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| Date: | Saturday 6 August 2005 |
| Time: | 00:45 LT |
| Type: |  Hughes 369HS |
| Owner/operator: | Christopher Holland |
| Registration: | N500SD |
| MSN: | 1160870S |
| Year of manufacture: | 1976 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6379 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Albuquerque, New Mexico -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Albuquerque International Airport, NM (ABQ/KABQ) |
| Albuquerque International Airport, NM (ABQ/KABQ) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The helicopter was supporting police officers on the ground, who were attempting to locate a burglary suspect. The pilot and observer were wearing night vision goggles. The pilot established an orbit over the area approximately 400 feet agl. On about the fifth orbit, the crew heard a very loud noise originating from inside the helicopter. The pilot stated that he did not know what happened but knew there was an emergency. The helicopter shook and began to turn right. The pilot immediately lowered the collective and entered autorotation. The pilot flared and the helicopter impacted terrain in the backyard of a residence. Post accident examination revealed a .30-.06 rifle bullet (fired from a high-powered rifle) severed the left anti-torque pedal at the connecting point of the vertical control tube. The bullet then ricocheted into the pilot's leg. An engine inspection revealed no anomalies that would preclude the engine from developing power.
Probable Cause: the bullet(s), which severed the helicopter's left tail rotor pedal. Contributing factors were the severed anti-torque pedal and the unsuitable terrain for landing.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB DEN05TA119
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-Oct-2022 17:42 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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