BUFORD, GA, USA
N3782B
HUGHES 269A
THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO SLOW DOWN OVER THE PARKING LOT THEN CONTINUED OUT OVER THE LAKE. A PUFF OF SMOKE WAS OBSERVED AROUND THE REAR OF THE ENGINE AREA AND THE HELICOPTER FISHTAILED AS IT ALMOST CAME TO A STOP THEN DROPPED INTO THE WATER NOSE FIRST. IT SANK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A HOLE IN THE CRANKCASE. THE FRACTURE SURFACES INDICATED AN INTERNAL TO EXTERNAL PUCTURE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF A ROD CAP BOLT AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE ROD FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE WAS OBSERVED. THE PILOT WAS A LOW TIME HELICOPTER PILOT WHO COULD NOT SWIM AND WAS AFRAID OF THE WATER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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