Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 369A (OH-6A) near Palmer, AK — 2009-09-29

Final reportANC09LA110
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Date
2009-09-29
Location
Palmer, AK, USA
Airport
4AK6
Aircraft
HUGHES 369A (OH-6A)
Registration
N501SU
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power after take off for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing on a local flight in a turbine-powered helicopter. During the initial climb, about 35 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot entered an autorotation and attempted to cushion the landing, but the helicopter landed hard and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom, severing it from the helicopter. After the accident the engine continued to run, but at low power, requiring the pilot to close the engine throttle and shutdown the engine. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) postaccident examination revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the engine or helicopter. The engine was removed from the helicopter, shipped to an engine service center, and placed in an engine test cell. At the direction of an FAA airworthiness inspector, and assisted by an air safety investigator from the engine manufacturer, the engine produced power that was within the manufacturer's performance standards.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon engine power loss indication.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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