Pilot Debrief

ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPEMENT CORP. OH-58C near McComb, MS — 2012-03-27

Final reportERA12LA258
Sign in to save
Date
2012-03-27
Location
McComb, MS, USA
Aircraft
ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPEMENT CORP. OH-58C
Registration
N452MC
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation at the Nos. 5 and 8 engine bearings, which resulted in a catastrophic engine failure.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, about 3 minutes after takeoff, the helicopter yawed left. The pilot stated that he lowered the collective and initiated a descent for an autorotative landing and that the cabin then filled with smoke. He landed the helicopter uneventfully in a field and exited it. Subsequently, he noticed a fire in the engine compartment. Inspection of the engine revealed damage to the Nos. 5 and 8 bearings consistent with the reduced oil supply to the bearings during engine operation, which resulted in a catastrophic engine failure. Due to the severity of the damage to the bearing components, it could not be determined whether any preaccident malfunctions or failures existed in the bearing assembly that could have led to the reduction in the oil supply.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked engine performance before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

Related mishaps