- Date
- September 30, 1983, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place
- Provo, UT
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N8693FHughes 369D (500)
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19830930052869A
- Case key
- 16005
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The helicopter was on a test flt to track & balance the main rotor system & to complete a 100 hr inspection. Prior to the flt, an occasional flicker of the fuel filter light was noted, but it was thought to be a wiring problem. After taking off, the fuel filter light flickered on a few more times, but never illuminated steadily. After less than a minute of flying time, the plt felt 2 quick 'jerks' (yaws). He start a 180 deg turn to land. After 90 deg of turn, the N2 decreased to 95%, then surged to 105%, then the eng quit running. The plt initiated an autorotation, but during landing on soft, wet terrain, the helicopter rocked forward & the main rotor struck the tail boom. An exam of the helicopter revealed a 'b' nut on 1 of 2 differential pressure lines (connected to the fuel filter differential pressure switch) was loose. During the exam, the 'b' nut separated from its attach point by a 1/2 turn using finger pressure.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8693F
- Reported as
- Hughes 369D (500)
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 180252D
- Airframe hours
- 3,183
- Engine
- Allison 250-C20B, 420 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Rocky Mountain Helicopter, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · September 30, 1983 · 0 hours before
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 40
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 10,500 total · 500 in this make and model · 200 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PVU, 2 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.