McDonnell Douglas MD-500D N8395F
10 June 1992 · Polk Inlet, Alaska, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 10 June 1992 at about 19:30 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-500D registered N8395F, operated by CRI Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Polk Inlet, Alaska, United States. 4 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 19:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Polk Inlet, Alaska, United States
- Coordinates
- 55.6106, -131.5801
- Aircraft
- McDonnell Douglas MD-500D
- Registration
- N8395F
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- CRI Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Mountain Top → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC92LA090
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURE AND THE COMPANY'S INADEQUATE PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES. A FACTOR WAS THE UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON UNSTABLE TERRAIN AND WHEN HE AND THE OTHER FRONT SEAT PASSENGER EXITED BEFORE THE REAR PASSENGERS THE HELICOPTER ROCKED BACKWARDS AND THE TAILROTOR STRUCK THE MUSKEG WHILE THE MAIN ROTOR WAS STILL TURNING SLOWLY. THE PILOT EXAMINED THE DRIVE TRAIN FOR DAMAGE AND FOUND NONE AND ELECTED TO FLY BACK TO HIS BASE OF OPERATIONS. DURING THE FLIGHT THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATED AND HE LOST TAIL ROTOR THRUST. THE PILOT EXECUTED A LANDING IN THE WATER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND THE CHIEF PILOT, THERE IS NO INFORMATION IN THE COMPANY OPERATIONS MANUAL OR THE TRAINING MANUAL INDICATING WHAT ACTION HE SHOULD TAKE AFTER A BLADE STRIKE HAS OCCURRED. ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF PILOT THE PILOT DID NOT FOLLOW THE VERBAL PROCEDURE WHICH REQUIRES HIM TO REMAIN INSIDE THE HELICOPTER UNTIL THE BLADES STOP ROTATING.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 1992 | Piper PA-18A-150 | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | John Clark | Minor injuries | - |
| 12 Feb 1992 | Richard C Ballow KITFOX 1 | Valdez, Alaska, United States | Jones, William Marshall | No injuries | - |
| 17 Feb 1992 | Aeronca 7AC | Sitka, Alaska, United States | Diment, Archie G. | No injuries | - |
| 9 Oct 1992 | Champion 7EC | Chugiak, Alaska, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 14 Feb 1992 | Cessna 180 | Shishmaref, Alaska, United States | Sheldon, Robert J. | Serious injuries | - |
| 19 Feb 1992 | Cessna 185F | Pelican, Alaska, United States | Bellair, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |