Incident Hughes 269C VH-UFX,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 218789
 
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Date:Thursday 26 May 1988
Time:06:45
Type:Silhouette image of generic H269 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Hughes 269C
Owner/operator:
Registration: VH-UFX
MSN: 470593
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Location:16km W of Meda Station, WA -   Australia
Phase: Landing
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Meda Station, WA
Destination airport:Meda Station, WA
Investigating agency: BASI
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The pilot was engaged in mustering operations at 100 feet above ground level and at 60 knots airspeed, when he heard a noise from the rear of the aircraft. He observed the rpm indicators split, with the engine rpm showing an overspeed, and he assumed a clutch cable failure. The aircraft was placed in an autorotational descent. As there was no clear landing area immediately available the pilot turned the aircraft into wind and attempted to find a clear area amongst the trees. The aircraft hit a tree, however, fell to the ground and rolled onto its side. The drive to the main rotors had become disconnected because the cable to the belt drive clutch control tension spring assembly had failed inside the assembly. The cable had been inspected for defects, and none were detected, at the last periodic inspection which occurred 59 hours prior to the accident. The cause of the cable failure could not be determined. The cable had been in service for 2210 hours. It is an "on condition" item, which does not have a specified life. The maintenance system for the aircraft requires that the cable be removed and inspected each 400 hours time in service. Removal is required to inspect the area on the cable that failed. The cable is inspected in situ each 50 hours time in service. The altitude and speed selected by the pilot gave sufficient performance potential for a safe autorotational landing, but the low cruise height significantly reduced the time available to locate and establish an approach into any suitable landing area.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: BASI
Report number: 
Status: Investigation completed
Duration:
Download report: Final report

Sources:

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1988/aair/aair198800121/
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/30189/aair198800121.pdf

History of this aircraft

Other occurrences involving this aircraft
5 March 1994 VH-UFX 0 38km E of Napier Downs, WA sub
Bounced on landing
2 January 1997 VH-UFX 0 Fitzroy Crossing, WA sub

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
30-Nov-2018 08:06 Pineapple Added

Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description

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