Final Report: Turbine blade failed

By Mary F. Silitch

July 1, 2008
Accidents

McDonnell Douglas MD 369D, Columbus, Mont., May 28, 2007–The Safety Board blamed this accident, which resulted in the death of a crewmember, on the fatigue failure of a turbine blade caused by a localized overtemperature of the turbine section due to nonuniform fuel distribution by the fuel nozzle. The helicopter was hovering at about 120 agl, inspecting a powerline structure, when it suddenly lost all power.

The pilot attempted an autorotation, but the close proximity of the structure restricted maneuverability. The helicopter, which was operated by Haverfield, was destroyed in the crash and resulting fire.

Despite a revision of the Rolls-Royce operation and maintenance manual specifying that the fuel nozzle be removed, inspected and cleaned as part of each 100-hour inspection, investigators found that this procedure had been performed during only two of the last seven 100-hour inspections. At the time of the accident, the engine had logged about 236 hours since the last nozzle inspection and cleaning.

Back

Blown Tire Eyed in Learjet 60 Crash October 01, 2008 At press time, the NTSB was finishing its on-scene investigation of a Learjet 60SE (N999LJ) fatal accident at Columbia (S.C.) Metropolitan... [more]
AAIB: Incident highlights value of SB compliance October 01, 2008 A Jan. 20, 2007 incident over the English Channel resulted in the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) recommending the FAA mandate... [more]
Bell 212 Crashes on Dubai Oil Rig October 01, 2008 Two pilots and five passengers aboard an Aerogulf Bell 212 died September 3 when their helicopter crashed onto the oil drilling platform... [more]
Phoenix ENG midair spurs reforms October 01, 2008 A fatal midair between two television news helicopters in Phoenix last year has prompted better communications and procedures within the local... [more]
Preliminary Report: Bravo's wing shears off October 01, 2008 Cessna 550 Citation Bravo, Reading, Pa., Aug. 3, 2008–Two-thirds of the Bravo’s wing sheared off when the airplane hit a tractor while landing... [more]