On September 17, 1990, a Hughes 269A (registration N403SD) operated by Short, J. C. was involved in an aviation accident near Kingsville, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the left flange on the tail boom saddle fitting due to fatigue, leading to tail boom separation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter on a cattle herding flight experienced tail boom assembly separation at about 100 ft AGL, leading to a spin and collision with terrain. Fatigue failure of a saddle fitting flange was identified.
Accident Overview
A pilot conducting a cattle herding operation was flying at an altitude of approximately 100 ft above ground level when the helicopter's tail boom assembly separated. Subsequently, the helicopter entered a right spin, nosed over, and collided with the terrain.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination disclosed that the left flange of the tail boom saddle fitting (part number 269A2324) had failed due to fatigue. This failure resulted in the separation of the tail boom from the helicopter.
Conclusion
The investigation determined that the tail boom separation was caused by a fatigue failure of the left flange on the saddle fitting.
Probable cause
Failure of the left flange on the tail boom saddle fitting due to fatigue, leading to tail boom separation.
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