Hughes 369D N5013P

Summary

On 4 January 1999 at about 23:45 local time, a Hughes 369D registered N5013P was involved in an accident near Woodruff, Utah, 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.

Date

4 January 1999 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Woodruff, Utah, United States

Coordinates

41.4696, -111.2306

Aircraft

Hughes 369D

Registration

N5013P

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Evanston → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN99TA031

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of engine power due to erosion in the compressor assembly module. Factors were a missing rotating labyrinth seal, the installation of which had not been performed by unknown maintenance personnel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the helicopter was being maneuvered at low altitude, the pilot heard a series of compressor stalls, accompanied by a rapid decay of rotor rpm. The helicopter struck the ground, spun around and rolled over on its right side. The engine was functionally tested and was 20 horsepower below overhaul specifications. The compressor stalled repeatedly. Compressor disassembly disclosed case liner erosion, most noticeably at the 5th and 6th stages, and the rotating labyrinth seal was missing. After replacing the seal and installing a slave compressor module, the engine tested normal.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.