HYDER, AK, USA
CGKHR
HUGHES 369D
THE HUGHES 369D WAS RETURNING TO A LOAD PICK UP POINT WHEN THE PILOT FELT AND HEARD A VIBRATION, WHICH SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE TAIL ROTOR. THE PILOT ROLLED BACK THE POWER, AND BEGAN AN AUTOROTATION. AS HE INCREASED POWER AND COLLECTIVE, TO MANEUVER FOR THE FLARE, HE HEARD TWO LOUD BANGS COME FROM THE TAIL ROTOR AREA. THIS WAS FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY AN UNCONTROLLED ROTATION OF THE AIRFRAME. HE ATTEMPTTED TO APPLY FULL UP COLLECTIVE JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT, BUT HIT THE TERRAIN WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE.
THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR HUB ASSEMBLY. FACTORS INCLUDE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND HIGH VEGETATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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