Hughes TH-55A N9240D
18 November 2003 · West Lafayette, Indiana, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 18 November 2003 at about 02:05 local time, a Hughes TH-55A registered N9240D, operated by Dennis G. Lockrey, was involved in an accident near West Lafayette, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously 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 02:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
- Coordinates
- 40.4122, -86.9367
- Aircraft
- Hughes TH-55A
- Registration
- N9240D
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Dennis G. Lockrey
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- West Lafayette → Purdue Airport
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- CHI04LA032
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The fractured cluster fitting resulting in a loss of directional control during initial climb and the improper repair of cluster fitting by unknown personnel. The night conditions were a contributing factor.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The helicopter received substantial damage on impact with terrain. The pilot reported he lost directional control and heard a "pop" during climb after takeoff. He then regained directional control and executed an autorotation in night meteorological conditions. Examination of the tail boom right cluster fitting by National Transportation Safety Board metallurgists revealed features consistent with an overload fracture in addition to a preexisting crack. The fracture area contained weld material in the heat treated structure. According to the manufacturer, weld repairs were not allowed in this area. A review of maintenance logs did not reveal any entries pertaining to the welding of the cluster fitting.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hughes TH-55A accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Sep 2000 | Hughes TH-55A | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1998 | Hughes TH-55A | Savannah, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Aug 1994 | Hughes TH-55A | Houghton, Michigan, United States | Jesse Jane Stafford | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jul 1994 | Hughes TH-55A | Savannah, Georgia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 2013 | Hughes TH-55A | Morgantown, West Virginia, United States | DAH Aircraft LLC | No injuries | - |
| 10 Jun 2014 | Hughes TH 55A | Hudson, Wisconsin, United States | Aviation Consultant Expert Solutions LLC | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Aug 2003 | Piper J3C-65 | Tocsin, Indiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jan 2003 | Boeing 737-83N | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | American Trans Air Inc | No injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 2003 | Piper J-3 | Florence, Indiana, United States | Douglas D. Hatton | No injuries | - |
| 2 Sep 2003 | Beechcraft B36TC | Uniondale, Indiana, United States | Stephen J. Hatch | Fatal | 3 |
| 29 Sep 2003 | Beechcraft 35-33 | Evansville, Indiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Oct 2003 | Waco CTO | Greenfield, Indiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |