Pilot Debrief

MD HELICOPTER 369E near Victoria, TX — 2011-05-16

Final reportCEN11LA339
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Date
2011-05-16
Location
Victoria, TX, USA
Aircraft
MD HELICOPTER 369E
Registration
N4278T
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the governor limit switch was properly set, which resulted in reduced engine power.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after departure, the pilot observed the engine-out caution light and received an audible alarm. The pilot then saw the automatic re-ignition light illuminate. Since the engine appeared to be operating at a reduced power setting, the pilot elected to perform a run-on landing. During the landing, the helicopter encountered a ditch, and the tail rotor struck the ground. A postaccident examination of the helicopter found that the fuel control governor limit switch, located on the pilot's collective, was set near the minimum limit (low power setting). No other anomalies were found with the airframe. The engine was removed and run on a testing system with no defects noted. According to the helicopter manufacturer, the warnings and power reduction that the pilot observed were consistent with the position of the limit switch as found. Therefore, it is likely that the reduction in engine power resulted from the improper setting of the governor limit switch.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked governor switch settings before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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