scope:

Description of Driving Event:

Immediately after becoming airborne at the SLF, the pilot of a KSC NASA helicopter noticed a failure in the No.1 hydraulic system (which supports helicopter flight controls). The loss of this system is an emergency. An inspection was conducted on the hydraulic system which revealed the line was approx. 0.5 inches shorter than required for optimal operation. Due to the curvature of the line passing through the spacer block, the line was not seated flush in its hole. The spacer block, with rotor vibration, caused the hydraulic line to experience strand separation, resulting in a puncture.