# Accident 20031117035459A: Hughes TH55A, Lafayette, IN, November 17, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 17, 2003, 21:05 local time
- Place: Lafayette, IN
- Airport: Purdue University
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Autorot Descent (Rotorcraft)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.4122° N, 86.9367° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4122&lon=-86.9367&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9240D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9240D-2012-08-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes TH-55A (registry code 4471004, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360 series (registry code 41524, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES TH55A
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360B1A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,550 total, 145 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI04LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA032) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031117035459A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) CLUSTER FITTING FAILED IN FLIGHT. CAUSED LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION AND DID LATE PITCH PULL TO KEEP SPINNING TO A MINIMUM. AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND CAME TO REST IN AN OPEN FIELD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI04LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA032), Nov 18, 2003: Hughes TH-55A (N9240D), West Lafayette, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fractured cluster fitting resulting in a loss of directional control during initial climb and the improper repair of cluster fitting by unknown personnel. The night conditions were a contributing…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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