Pilot Debrief

BELL OH-58C near Quitman, AR — 2008-11-16

Final reportCEN09TA060
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Date
2008-11-16
Location
Quitman, AR, USA
Aircraft
BELL OH-58C
Registration
N153GF
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to execute a proper autorotation during a forced landing after a loss of rotor rpm for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot and the passenger were conducting a public use night surveillance flight. The pilot was wearing night vision goggles (NVGs) while operating over a large field approximately 150-feet above the ground on a westerly heading at 10 knots. The master caution light illuminated followed by the low rotor rpm light and low rotor RPM horn. The pilot lowered the collective pitch and descended straight down. The helicopter struck the ground hard in a nose low, left bank attitude. Examination of the helicopter revealed no pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies. The engine examination and limited test-run on a Rolls Royce approved test stand using a slave compressor did not reveal any deficiencies that would have prevented the engine from producing power at the time of the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have initiated an autorotation earlier to prevent hard landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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