Pilot Debrief

BELL OH-58A near Jefferson City, MO — 2013-10-26

Final reportCEN14TA020
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Date
2013-10-26
Location
Jefferson City, MO, USA
Airport
JEF
Aircraft
BELL OH-58A
Registration
N283MP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot receiving instruction reported that the purpose of the flight was to remain in the airport traffic pattern while practicing autorotation landings. He stated that, after about 45 minutes of flight training, the engine began to fluctuate between full and half power while the helicopter was climbing on a downwind leg. The helicopter also experienced an uncommanded yaw with each engine power fluctuation. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and entered a straight-in autorotation toward a nearby field. The helicopter touched down with a slight forward ground run, during which the left skid dug into the soft soil, which caused the helicopter to rotate 180 degrees before it stopped. The main rotor blades severed the tail boom from the fuselage during the forced landing. A postaccident examination revealed no airframe anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the helicopter. During a test run, the accident engine demonstrated normal operation at all power settings and was capable of producing maximum takeoff horsepower. Uncontaminated fuel was found onboard the helicopter. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the training flight after initial engine fluctuations.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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