Pilot Debrief

BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1 near Grand Canyon, AZ — 2012-09-09

Final reportWPR12LA408
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Date
2012-09-09
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ, USA
Airport
GCN
Aircraft
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1
Registration
N5745Y
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examinations and testing revealed no evidence of an anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during a maintenance release flight, he entered a simulated autorotation to check the main rotor rpm. When the pilot retarded the throttle, the engine lost power. The pilot subsequently conducted an off-airport landing. During the landing, the main rotor blade struck the tailboom, which then separated from the airframe. During postaccident engine test runs in both the airframe and a test cell, the engine ran normally. Postaccident engine examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided throttle manipulation during maintenance release flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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