ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 354440
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| Date: | Wednesday 20 May 1998 |
| Time: | 18:30 LT |
| Type: |  Schweizer 269C |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N41TH |
| MSN: | 1747 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 178 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming HIO-360-D1A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | San Angelo, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
During a demonstration of an autorotation, the helicopter landed hard. The pilot reported that during the autorotation, after completing a flare, he added 'max' allowable power to initiate a power recovery and directional control was lost. Subsequently, the helicopter landed with a slight yaw. The passenger reported that during the autorotation the pilot stated that 'the spot we would land was visible basically right above the pedals.' The aircraft touched down 'firm,' approximately 90 degrees from the direction of travel. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tailboom forward attachment fitting was fractured. Both tail rotor blades were attached to the hub and fork; however, one blade was found fractured and separated in the spar root area at the end of the hub spindle, and there was a dent in the leading edge near the tip. The tail rotor drive shaft was found twisted and disengaged from the upper pulley aft drive adapter. Examination of the tailboom forward attachment fitting, P/N:269A2323, and associated parts found that the fracture surface was 'consistent with an overstress failure.' There were 'no signs of preexisting cracks found.'
Probable Cause: The improper touchdown executed by the flight instructor, which resulted in the tail rotor impacting the ground.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW98LA279
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Mar-2024 14:26 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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