ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 353091
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| Date: | Saturday 3 July 1999 |
| Time: | 10:00 LT |
| Type: |  Hughes 369D |
| Owner/operator: | Capricorn Helicopters |
| Registration: | N8661F |
| MSN: | 690522D |
| Total airframe hrs: | 8323 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Oakdale, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Oakdale, CA |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot experienced a partial loss of engine power while established in an out of ground effect hover at 150 feet agl and landed hard in the resulting autorotation. Postcrash examination of the engine revealed that the turbine had experienced oil starvation due to a failure of the oil pump. The aft bearing (gear case cover) of the FCU/oil pump drive spur gear had disintegrated due to failure of the ribbon-type ball separator, which was found in the bottom of the gearbox in two pieces and deformed. The balls were ejected into the gear case and one was ingested by the oil pump, which caused internal jamming and the resultant shearing of the splined adapter which drives the oil pump. The ball separator was manufactured from an austenitic stainless steel, instead of AISI 1010 as specified by the manufacturer, and the material exceeded allowable hardness specifications. Allison CEB 1228, issued November 20, 1985, calls for bearings with the ribbon-type, pressed steel separator, to be replaced with bearings that incorporate a one-piece machined steel separator. Compliance was due at the next accessory gearbox repair when the gearbox was opened. The mechanic reported that he had replaced the number 2.5 bearing and the spur adapter gear shaft 265 hours and 4 months before the accident, which would have provided access to the gearbox to accomplish the bulletin.
Probable Cause: The disintegration and failure of the oil pump drive spur gear aft bearing, which resulted in failure of the oil pump and subsequent oil starvation to the engine's turbine module. A factor in the accident was the failure of company maintenance personnel to comply with the manufacturer's service bulletin regarding replacement of the bearing.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX99LA245
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-Mar-2024 10:16 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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