WOODRUFF, UT, USA
N8667F
HUGHES 369D
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO LIFT SEISMIC MATERIALS ON A 100 FT LONG LINE. AFTER LIFTING THE LOAD TO A HOVER AT ABOUT 10 TO 20 FT, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD 'BANG' WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN UNCONTROLLED SPINNING & CRASHED MOMENTS LATER. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES STOPPED ROTATING PRIOR TO THE HELICOPTER HITING THE GROUND. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE AFT TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT FLEXIBLE COUPLING, BENDIX PN; 369A5501, HAD FAILED. DUE TO DAMAGE OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE, THE MODE OF FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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