View of damaged main rotor blade.
Federal Aviation Administration
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N89ZC
Location: Ridgeway, PA
Accident Number:GAA18CA506
Date & Time: 08/22/2018, 1126 EDT
Registration: N89ZC
Aircraft: Hughes 369
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation
The helicopter pilot reported that, after a high reconnaissance the helicopter was descended to about 30 ft above the power lines for the powerline inspection, while flying about 30-35 knots. While patrolling, they climbed over an identified crossing line, and then descended back down. During the decent , the passenger spotted a previously unseen power line in their flight path so the pilot "pulled hard aft cyclic with right pedal" but the main rotor blades struck the power line. The helicopter acquired a vibration in the main rotor system, but pilot was able to land without further incident.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 41, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s):Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):None
Toxicology Performed:No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/01/2017
Occupational Pilot:Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/25/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 2354 hours (Total, all aircraft), 594 hours (Total, this make and model), 2263 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 138 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 29 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Hughes
Registration: N89ZC
Model/Series: 369 D
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1098D
Landing Gear Type: High Skid
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: 250-C20B
Registered Owner: Dah Aircraft Llc
Rated Power:
Operator: Rotor Blade LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Rotorcraft External Load (133)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dawn
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDUJ, 1805 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1602 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 228°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1800 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.88 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: St Marys, PA (OYM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: St Marys, PA (OYM)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1215 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class E
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion:None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.401111, -78.561389 (est)
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Rotor-Blade LLC; Georgetown, South Carolina
Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Location: Talking Rock, GA
Accident Number: ERA19FA118
Date & Time: 03/05/2019, 1130 EST
Registration: N89ZC
Aircraft: Hughes 369
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
On March 5, 2019, about 1130 eastern standard time, an MD Helicopters (Hughes) 369D, N89ZC, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain near Talking Rock, Georgia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated by Rotor Blade LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from a nearby field.
The pilot was using a 10-bladed aerial saw to trim trees along powerlines when the accident occurred. A witness reported that the helicopter performed the upper pass, then came around for the middle pass when it began to spin counterclockwise. It completed one full rotation, and during the second rotation it struck trees before impacting the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and the fuselage and tail boom were substantially damaged. Several witnesses noted that it was "windy" at the time of the accident.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument helicopter. In addition, he held flight instructor ratings for rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument helicopter. The pilot was issued an FAA second-class medical certificate on April 16, 2018, and at that time he reported 4,650 total hours of flight time, of which, 250 hours were in the previous 6 months.
According to FAA records, the helicopter was manufactured in 1981, and was registered to DAH Aircraft, LLC in May 2012. It was equipped with a Rolls-Royce 250-C20B engine. The main rotor had 5 main rotor blades that turned in the counterclockwise direction. The most recent maintenance was performed on February 18, 2019, at a Hobbs time of 2349.0; the 100-hr and 300-hr airframe inspections were performed at that time. At the time of the accident, the Hobbs meter on the airframe indicated a time of 2382.3 hours.
The 1135 recorded weather observation at Pickens County Airport (JZP), Jasper, Georgia, which was about 5 miles to the southeast of the accident location, included wind from 350° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 0° C, dew point -10° C; and an altimeter setting of 30.19 inches of mercury.
The helicopter impacted terrain at an elevation of 1250 ft mean sea level and came to rest on a heading of 037°. It struck multiple trees prior to impacting the ground about 25 ft from the initial tree strike. All major components of the helicopter remained attached to the airframe.
The helicopter came to rest on the right side of the airframe. The engine remained attached to the fuselage at all attach points. All 5 main rotor blades were bent; however, remained attached to the rotor head and were removed by recovery personnel. The fuselage was impact-damaged and the skin was dented on the right side. The skids remained attached to the fuselage and were undamaged.
Flight control continuity was confirmed from the flight controls to the main rotor and tail rotor. The collective control remained attached to the control tube and was found in the maximum collective input position. Continuity was confirmed from the throttle to the engine through all push-pull tubes. The N2 trim operated when power was applied. The lateral and longitude trim operated when power was applied. The fuel quantity sending unit was removed and fuel was noted in the fuel tank. The fuel shutoff was not pulled, and the valve remained open.
The main rotor transmission fluid level was verified full using the sight glass. The k-flex engine-to-transmission drive shaft was rotated by hand and exhibited movement to the main rotor. No fingers on the main transmission k-flex driveshaft were broken. Continuity from the main rotor and tail rotor drive shaft was verified. The tail rotor k-flex couplings remained attached at all attach points and the bolts were torque-striped.
The over running clutch cup was separated from the engine. Residual oil was found when the clutch was removed from the housing. Rotational scoring was noted on the upper bearing support of the clutch. The upper bearing had grease on it. The over running clutch operated when the clutch was rotated in reverse. The over running clutch outer race exhibited a torsional fracture. The C-clip was removed and did exhibit tension.
All main rotor blades remained intact and were removed to facilitate recovery. The blades exhibited impact damage with minimal signatures of preimpact rotation. The tail rotor remained attached to the tailboom. Chordwise scratching was noted on both tail rotor blades. The leading edge of one blade was impact damaged. The tail rotor drive shaft remained attached to the transmission and was bent. The tail rotor control push-pull tubes also remained attached and were bent. The tailboom was fractured about 4 ft aft of the fuselage. The tail rotor drive shaft was removed for further examination. A small amount of rotational scoring was noted on the tail rotor drive shaft. The tail rotor pitch links remained attached. Oil was noted in the tail rotor gear box.
The engine-mounted fuel filter was removed, and fuel was noted in the bowl. No debris was noted in the fuel filter. There was a minor amount of debris in the fuel filter bowl. No water was noted in the fuel.
An inspection panel was removed in the cabin area of the fuselage to access the engine. The compressor impeller assembly did not rotate. The N1 turbine did not rotate. The drive gear connected to the over running clutch could be rotated by hand. The starter fan cover was removed, and the fan would not rotate when it was installed on the engine. The starter generator was removed and would rotate by hand. The combustion can was removed. The first nozzle exhibited no sign of thermal distress, cracks, missing material, or airfoil deterioration on the nozzle guide vanes.
The wreckage was retained for further examination. In addition, a Garmin 496 handheld GPS was located at the accident site and retained for data download. The helicopter over running clutch assembly was retained and sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Hughes
Registration: N89ZC
Model/Series: 369 D
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Rotor Blade LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Rotorcraft External Load (133)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: JZP, 1535 ft msl
Observation Time: 1135 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 0°C / -10°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / 15 knots, 350°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Talking Rock, GA
Destination: Talking Rock, GA
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 34.533333, -84.522500
John Edward Kent
1968 - 2019
John Edward Kent, 51, of Pomona Park, FL, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA after injuries from a helicopter accident. He was born in Orlando, Florida to Robert and Marie Kent. Johnny was a previous member of the Lake County Sheriff's Mounted Posse. He was a licensed helicopter pilot and instructor and a former lineman at Duke Energy.
Johnny loved riding his Harley motorcycle. He was most happy when he was helping others and anyone he met became friends forever. Johnny was known for his love of family, friends, and the outdoors. He loved traveling with his beautiful wife Brandi and living life to its fullest.
He is survived by and lovingly remembered by his wife, Brandi Kent; daughters: Ranen Kent and Brooke Lowe; grandsons: William Lowe IV and Ashton Kent; father: Robert Kent; mother: Marie Kent; brothers: Jimmy Kent, Robert Kent and twin brother, Charles Kent; along with countless nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and in-laws that number in the hundreds.
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up at FallenLinemen.org (please put Johnny Kent in the comments section).
A Service will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. (with visitation from 11:00 to 12:00 prior to service) at Hope International Church, 13806 SR 33, Groveland, FL 34736, with Pastor Tommy Cook officiating.
PICKENS COUNTY, Georgia - The pilot of a tree-trimming helicopter dies after he was rushed to the hospital following a crash Tuesday morning in north Georgia.
The Pickens County Sheriff's Office said the helicopter crashed off of Ellijay Road in Talking Rock just north of Highway 515.
Channel 2's Tom Regan was the only reporter at the scene, where wreckage of the chopper was still on its side on the ground Tuesday afternoon.
Officials said the helicopter crashed as pilot, Johnny Kent, was towing a stem of saws under the chopper and cutting back tree limbs near power lines.
Somehow, Kent lost control and crashed, officials said.
Regan talked to Kris Stancil with the Pickens County Sheriff's Office about how the crash happened.
"He hit a tree at some point," Stancil said. "The wind was pretty strong, so there's a possibility that the wind caused it."
The chopper plunged 60 feet to the ground, the saws taking down a tree stand nearby. The impact of the crash broke the helicopter apart, officials said.
"It was kind of flipped over when it hit the ground," Stancil said. "He was hanging in the harness up against his neck. Fortunately there were some crews on the ground working with the flight crew, so they were able to get to his aide and call 911 to get here quickly."
Ken was alert and emergency medical services staff were able to communicate with him when they took him to the hospital by air ambulance to Grady Memorial Hospital. Kent died shortly before 6 p.m., the Pickens County Sheriff's Office said.
The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into the cause of the crash.
Regan looked in to crashes involving aerial tree trimming and found that they are pretty rare.
Story and video ➤ https://www.wsbtv.com
No comments:
Post a Comment