On October 29, 1984, an Aerospatiale SA-315-B (registration N49504) was involved in an aviation accident near West Bay, FL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an external load agricultural flight, the aircraft lost tail rotor control while attempting to land. The external load was jettisoned, and the aircraft hit the ground and rolled over. Investigation revealed a worn pitch change drum.
Accident Overview
An aircraft involved in an external load agricultural flight crashed following a loss of tail rotor control. Witnesses reported that during a landing attempt at a loading area, the aircraft began spinning. The external load was subsequently jettisoned, and the aircraft struck the ground and rolled over.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the pitch change drum, part number 3160566-00-009-1, was worn throughout its interior aluminum splines. The pitch control drum had been removed on August 9, 1984. According to the aircraft manual, each time the drum is removed, it must be visually checked for wear. Between August 9 and October 29, 1984, the aircraft accumulated 236.9 hours of operating time.