OXFORD, OH, USA
N4354G
MCCULLOCH J-2
THE AUTOGYRO BROKE UP IN FLIGHT WHILE MANEUVERING DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT. WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT REPORTED SEEING THE ROTOR BLADES SLOW AND FOLD UP AS THE AUTOGYRO FLEW SLOWLY OVER A LAKE. ONE ROTOR BLADE WAS SEEN TO SEPARATE FROM THE ROTORHEAD AND FALL SOME DISTANCE FROM THE REST OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AUTOGYRO THEN CRASHED INTO THE LAKE. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED THAT THE MAIN ROTOR MAST THRUST BEARING WAS GALLED AND HAD SEIZED.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OPERATOR TO REPLACE THE MAIN ROTOR THRUST BEARING. THE EXPIRED SERVICE LIFE OF THE MAIN ROTOR THRUST BEARING IS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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