Transmission and gearbox involving a Hughes Helicopters 269C, VH-IHV, 0.5 km north-east of Moorabbin, Victoria, on 2 July 1993

The flying instructor advised that at 300 feet, after taking off to the north from the eastern grass at Moorabbin, he first heard an odd noise and then felt a violent vibration through the airframe. He also noticed that rotor RPM had begun to diminish. Immediately he lowered the collective, closed the throttle, and carried out an autorotation into an area just outside the airfield boundary. The engine continued to idle from the moment of closing the throttle.

Engineers found that the aft bearing on the lower pulley assembly had disintegrated internally, and the forward bearing was rough. (This pulley assembly is part of the drive train which transmits engine power to the main gearbox via eight rubber belts.)

The bearing (part number 269A5050-78) which failed was lifed at 1800 hours. It failed at 741 hours total time in service and 246 hours since it was last inspected/greased. There was no evidence of lack of grease or overheating of the bearings.

Significant Factor

The following factor was considered relevant to the development of the incident:

1. The lower pulley aft bearing failed in flight.