On June 30, 1983, a Hughes 269A (registration N8835F) was involved in an aviation accident near Gastonia, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Stripped threads in the end of the throttle control cable assembly, which allowed the engine to go to idle RPM. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter experienced sudden engine power loss at 500 ft AGL due to stripped threads in throttle control cable assembly. The pilot performed an autorotation to the highway side, maneuvering over and under power lines. After touchdown, the helicopter slid into bushes and a small tree.
Incident Overview
While en route at an altitude of 500 feet above ground level, the helicopter's engine suddenly lost power and dropped to idle RPM. The pilot initiated an autorotation to the side of a highway. During the descent, the aircraft was maneuvered over one power line and then under another line. After touchdown, the helicopter slid into some bushes and a small tree. The pilot reported that there was no suitable place to land except along the highway.
Mechanical Findings
Investigation revealed that the threads in the end of the throttle control cable assembly were stripped. This condition caused the engine to go to idle RPM. The cable assembly, part number 267A-4683-3, had accumulated 770 hours of service since its installation.
Probable cause
Stripped threads in the end of the throttle control cable assembly, which allowed the engine to go to idle RPM.
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