SHELTON, WA, USA
N10966
HUGHES 369D
DURING A SIGHT SEEING FLIGHT THE PILOT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND PREPARED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY OFF-AIRPORT LANDING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, ENGINE RPM DECAYED AND AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS EFFECTED ON A DIRT ROAD. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD, STRIKING THE TAIL BOOM AND SEPARATING IT FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THETURBINE-TO-COMPRESSOR COUPLING WAS BOUND TO THE POWER TURBINE SHAFT WHICH SLEEVES IT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF THERMAL AND MECHANICAL DISTRESS TO THE COMPONENTS, CAUSED BY OVER-HEATING AND COKING OF THE OIL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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