Pilot Debrief

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 500D near Colusa, CA — 2011-10-27

Final reportWPR12LA022
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Date
2011-10-27
Location
Colusa, CA, USA
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 500D
Registration
N61PJ
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident severity was the operation of the helicopter within a portion of the height-velocity regime unfavorable for autorotation.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident severity was the operation of the helicopter within a portion of the height-velocity regime unfavorable for autorotation.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter was climbing and translating away from a power and communications line tower when the engine experienced a total loss of power. At that time, the helicopter was about 175 feet above ground level and had little forward airspeed, which placed it in the portion of the height-velocity regime unfavorable for autorotation. The helicopter began to descend rapidly, the pilot began an autorotation, and the helicopter subsequently landed hard in a field. During postaccident examination, manufacturer-specified vacuum leak checks could not determine the preimpact integrity of the fuel system due to impact damage and some initially undetected problems with the vacuum leak check equipment. About 30 gallons of fuel was found in the fuel tank, and it was free of water and other visible contaminants. Further, fuel from the fuel truck that supplied the helicopter was subsequently used in other aircraft without any problems. Detailed examinations of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical deficiencies or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Performing a fuel system vacuum leak check before returning to service.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 16 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents16

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