ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 39275
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: | Wednesday 4 November 1998 |
| Time: | 16:28 LT |
| Type: |  Schweizer 269C (300C) |
| Owner/operator: | Baltimore Police Department |
| Registration: | N2100B |
| MSN: | S1726 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 680 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming HIO-360-D1A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Baltimore, MD -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | , MD (KMTN) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The police helicopter was performing a police mission less than 500 above ground level when the engine lost power. The pilot was unable to reach a suitable landing area and maintain rotor rpm. The helicopter struck trees and a light pole, landed hard on a road, and slid into a fence. Examination revealed the #2 connecting rod had separated from the crankshaft. A torque check on the remaining connecting rod bolts found all below the minimum specified. A work action (strike) had been in effect at the engine manufacturer at the time of engine assembly, and production continued with management and replacement workers. During assembly the crankshaft had been replaced for an unknown reason. After the crankshaft was replaced, new connecting rods were attached, but not properly tightened. Replacement workers manned the two assembly stations identified as most probable for replacement of the crankshaft and failure to tighten the connecting rod bolts. Although long time employees knew the correct procedures for documentation of a replaced crankshaft, no specific written instructions were available for the replacement employees. The engine failed at 45.7 hours total time.
Probable Cause: inadequate assembly instructions from the engine manufacturer which resulted in improper engine assembly, and subsequent power loss over unsuitable terrain, with insufficient altitude for a successful autorotation.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB IAD99GA013
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] |
| 21-Sep-2019 21:08 | BEAVERSPOTTER | Updated [Cn] |
| 31-May-2023 05:21 | Ron Averes | Updated [[Cn]] |
| 04-Apr-2024 14:45 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Cn, Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, 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