Hughes 369A N330CM

Summary

On 10 June 2000 at about 18:25 local time, a Hughes 369A registered N330CM, operated by Gregory D. Norred, was involved in an accident near Hampton, Georgia, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 June 2000 at 18:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Hampton, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Clayton County/Tara Field (4A7)

Coordinates

33.3794, -84.2790

Aircraft

Hughes 369A

Registration

N330CM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Gregory D. Norred

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL00LA063

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power due to foreign object damage to the turbine wheel assembly.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Approximately 10 minutes into the demonstration flight, the engine oil temperature increased near red line. The pilot elected to return and land at the departure airport. While enroute to land, the engine lost power, and the pilot initiated an autorotation for an emergency landing. The helicopter collided with the ground between the runway and the parallel taxiway, and rolled over on the right side. During the post-accident engine examination, two unknown pieces of metal were found in the engine assembly. The post-metallurgical examination of the two pieces of metal revealed that the metal was a copper-aluminum alloy. Neither piece was used in the manufacture of the engine or any of its components. The entry origin of the unknown metal material into the engine was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.