Hughes 369A N98MP

Summary

On 7 August 2002 at about 15:26 local time, a Hughes 369A registered N98MP was involved in an accident near Springfield, Missouri, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 August 2002 at 15:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Springfield, Missouri, United States

Nearest airport

Springfield Downtown (3DW)

Coordinates

37.2150, -93.2261

Aircraft

Hughes 369A

Registration

N98MP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Springfield → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI02TA239

2 people were seriously injured.

Overload failure of the tail rotor transmission housing (gearbox) for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an inability to adequately control the aircraft.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was substantially damaged during a forced landing shortly after takeoff. The pilot stated: "Approximately one minute after departure, I felt and heard a noise in the aircraft. We were approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ground and our airspeed was approximately 60 knots. The aircraft immediately began to yaw to the right. The anti-torque pedals immediately became ineffective. I lowered the collective to prevent the aircraft from yawing all the way around. This was effective, but resulted in a loss of altitude." The aircraft impacted immediately adjacent to an interstate highway, 1.25 statute miles from the departure airport. A post accident examination revealed the tail rotor transmission housing had failed and the tail rotor assembly had departed the aircraft. It was subsequently located approximately 3/8 statute mile prior to the main impact site, along the route of flight. The NTSB Materials Laboratory examined the tail rotor transmission housing and tail rotor assembly mounting bolt. Features of the fracture surfaces on both components were consistent with overload failures. No indications of fatigue were found.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.