# NTSB NYC82FNA17: S.N.I.A.S. SA-330J, N3601U, Hyannis, MA, June 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1982, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Hyannis, MA
- Location: 41.6693° N, 70.2804° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CAPE COD GATEWAY (HYA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6693&lon=-70.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 13 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FNA17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71134/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNA17

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - rotor system,main rotor hub yoke(spindle) - undertorqued (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor hub yoke(spindle) - chafed (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor hub yoke(spindle) - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE TOOK OFF, AND DURING A CLIMB THROUGH ABOUT 800 FT, HE HEARD A LOUD SNAP AND IMMEDIATELY FELT SEVERE LATERAL VIBRATIONS. HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE INBOARD TRAILING EAR OF THE MAIN ROTOR SLEEVE/SPINDLE ASSEMBLY, PN 330A31-002607, FOR THE BLUE BLADE, HAD FAILED. EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE WAS FOUND OVER MOST OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE AND EVIDENCE OF FRETTING CORROSION WAS FOUND AT THE ORIGIN OF THE FATIGUE. ALSO, AN AREA OF FRETTING CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE TRAILING SIDE FLANGE OF THE HINGE PIN, ON A SURFACE CLAMPED BY THE TORQUE OF THE HINGE PIN NUT. RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE AEROSPATIALE SERVICE BULLETIN 01.35 HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH ON 3/30/82, AND THAT THE HINGE PIN HAD BEEN REPLACED ON 4/10/82, ABOUT 100 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE FAILURE. A SPOT CHECK OF THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY REVEALED THAT 2 OUT OF 3 TORQUE WRENCHES WERE OVERDUE A CALIBRATION CHECK. THE THIRD PROVIDED 54 INCH LBS WHEN SET FOR 120.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3601U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3601U-1989-06-16), registration cancelled 1989-06-16, S/N 1618 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: S.N.I.A.S. SA-330J
- Registry model: [S N I A S SA330J](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-sa330j) (registry code 8680612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Airframe hours: 2205
- Engines: TURBOMECA IVC 1170 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters
- Departed: HYA, HYANNIS, MA
- Destination: HYA, HYANNIS, MA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HYA, Barnstable Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,469 total, 1,306 in this make and model, 6,092 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19820623024659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820623024659I), Jun 23, 1982: Snias SA330J, Hyannis, MA. Loud snap, severe vibration. Landed safely. Main rotor spindle failed pn 330A31112206.

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.

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