McDonnell Douglas MD369D N88SE
23 October 1991 · Beech Grove, Indiana, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 23 October 1991 at about 16:00 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD369D registered N88SE, operated by Miami Valley Services, was involved in an accident near Beech Grove, Indiana, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Beech Grove, Indiana, United States
- Coordinates
- 39.7204, -86.0896
- Aircraft
- McDonnell Douglas MD369D
- Registration
- N88SE
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Miami Valley Services
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Richmond
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI92LA017
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Probable cause
IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL LINKAGE DURING MAINTENANCE. COMPLACENCY AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND THE PILOT ARE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CYCLIC PITCH CONTROL DURING LIFTOFF TO A HOVER AT THE START OF A BUSINESS FLIGHT. THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP, STRIKING THE TAIL ROTOR INTO THE GROUND AND THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. ON SCENE INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED A FLIGHT CONTROL LINKAGE DISCONNECT. THE MISSING BOLT WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE HELICOPTER. THE OTHER CONNECTING HARDWARE WAS NOT FOUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT NOTICE THE MISSING NUT DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other McDonnell Douglas MD369D accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Aug 1996 | McDonnell Douglas MD369D | Healy, Alaska, United States | Tundra Copters, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 May 1991 | Cessna 177 | Decatur, Indiana, United States | Clark Smith/ Ralph Biggs | No injuries | - |
| 9 Oct 1991 | Beechcraft 95 | Elkhart, Indiana, United States | William E. Woodill | No injuries | - |
| 15 Oct 1991 | Mooney M20K | Knox, Indiana, United States | Northern Harvest Furniture, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 18 Oct 1991 | Aerostar RX-8 | Warsaw, Indiana, United States | Henry J. & Marcille Cripe | Serious injuries | - |
| 28 May 1991 | Gulfstream American AA1A | Evansville, Indiana, United States | Fireside Gallery, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Jun 1991 | Cessna 310L | Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States | Edward C. Hartung | No injuries | - |