NONE · McDonnell Douglas MD 900 · 2004-09-08 · Mesa, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX04LA333
Event ID
20041021X01675
Type
Accident
Date
2004-09-08
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
Coordinates
33.473056, -111.726669
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
1
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
McDonnell Douglas
Model
MD 900
Registration
N9016W
FAR Part
091
Engines
2
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
fracture of a Tension-Torsion strap in the anti-torque fan due to progressive fiber failure of the composite strap material from compression and/or transverse shear stresses that occurred with repeated manipulation of the cockpit anti-torque control pedals without the fan operating at full rpm. A factor in the accident was the helicopter manufacturer's inadequate fatigue and load testing on the strap.