Incident McDonnell Douglas MD 500E (369E) VH-SUV,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 1295
 
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Date:Thursday 27 October 2005
Time:14:30
Type:Silhouette image of generic H500 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
McDonnell Douglas MD 500E (369E)
Owner/operator:Aeropower
Registration: VH-SUV
MSN: 0421E
Year of manufacture:1990
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage: Minor
Location:9km N Warick, (ALA) -   Australia
Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:Survey
Departure airport:Toowoomba QLD
Destination airport:Toowoomba QLD
Confidence Rating: Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities
Narrative:
The helicopter sustained a loss of tail rotor control while carrying out a power line inspection. It made approximately 12 to 15 full rotations before landing in a paddock. The pilot and two observers on board received minor injuries. The helicopter sustained minor damage.

Examination of the tail rotor revealed that the loss of control was due to failure of the inner tab of a tang washer. The washer locked the retaining nut holding the drive fork and the tail rotor assemblies onto the transmission output shaft. The failure of the inner tab resulted in looseness of the retaining nut and the split ring becoming dislodged. Consequently, the drive fork and the tail rotor assemblies were allowed to move freely along the transmission output shaft.

Sources:

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2005/AAIR/aair200505332.aspx

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
31-Jan-2008 04:30 Andrew Whitton Added

Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description

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