Pilot Debrief

MD HELICOPTER INC 369FF near Las Vegas, NV — 2014-12-31

Final reportWPR15TA071
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Date
2014-12-31
Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Airport
KVGT
Aircraft
MD HELICOPTER INC 369FF
Registration
N530KK
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination and testing did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting a local public flight. He reported that, about 7 minutes into the flight, while the helicopter was orbiting over a fixed area, he noticed the engine and rotor rpm decrease. The pilot rolled the helicopter out of the orbit, and the engine and rotor rpm stabilized momentarily at 97%. The pilot then attempted to increase the engine and rotor rpm while turning the helicopter toward a nearby airport. During the maneuver, the engine and rotor rpm decreased rapidly. The pilot entered an autorotation and executed an emergency landing. The helicopter then landed hard, and the tail impacted the ground and separated from the airframe. A postaccident examination of the airframe and the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. During an engine test run, the engine produced rated power. Examination of the fuel system revealed no anomalies, and a fuel sample taken from the helicopter tested positive as jet fuel (Jet A). The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Properly torque the fuel nozzle connection before flight to prevent engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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