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tial loss of engine power while on final approach to a helipad at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR), Jonesboro, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, flight nurse, and the paramedic were not injured. The helicopter was registered to a private entity that operated a commercial helicopter operator. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visu- al flight rules flight plan was filed for the repositioning flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Giradeau, Missouri, at approximately 1534. The pilot reported that the helicopter
was approximately 80-100 feet above the ground at an airspeed of 40 knots when the engine lost power. He said the power loss was similar to the engine rolling back to flight idle. The pilot said he lowered the collective to conserve rotor RPM, so there would be enough engine power for a "slid- ing landing." The helicopter touched down at the edge of tall grass/dirt and bounced slightly before it came to rest upright on its skids. The helicopter's skids sustained damage and the tail boom was displaced downward so the stinger was resting on the ground. According to operator, the hel- icopter and engine had accrued a total of 154.3 hours since new.
ERA13LA300 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 2 UNINJURED
On June 22, 2013, about 1500 east-
ern daylight time, a Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (formerly Schweizer Aircraft Corporation) 269C, N2091E, registered to a commercial helicopter operator, was landed hard at Flying W Airport (N14), Lumberton, New Jersey. Visual meteoro- logical conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal, local flight from N14. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and there were no injuries to the commer- cial rated pilot or passenger. The flight originated about 1400 from N14. The pilot stated that he was flying with a personal friend who was consider-
50 August 2013
ing taking flying lessons. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector- in-charge reported that after takeoff, the pilot flew locally then returned to N14. The pilot stated that on approach to N14 he was demonstrating an autorotation with a power recovery, and initiated the maneu- ver from 1,000 feet and 60 knots. During the descent he maintained 60 knots and the main rotor rpm in the upper green range. He initiated a deceleration flare at 40 feet and, “began to bring the power back in to a hover.” He pulled the collec- tive and rolled on throttle, but reported the engine rpm did not increase. At the end of the flare with no forward movement and no engine rpm, the aircraft continued to settle and made contact with the runway.
WPR13LA287 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 1 SERIOUS
On June 24, 2013, about 0740
Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206 helicopter, N407FK, sustained substantial damage after it became entangled in netting during cherry tree drying operations near Royal City, Washington. The pilot, the sole occu- pant, was seriously injured. The helicop- ter was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorologi- cal conditions prevailed for the flight, which originated from Royal City. No flight plan was filed for the local flight. Local law enforcement officers
reported that the pilot was in a hovering over the orchard when the helicopter’s skid became entangled in netting that covered the trees. The helicopter subse- quently impacted terrain and rolled over, sustaining substantial damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and main rotor system.
WPR13LA290 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 3 MINOR
On June 25, 2013, about 0657 moun-
tain standard time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E helicopter, N34CT, sustained sub- stantial damage during an off-airport hard landing, about 6 miles south-southeast of
Casa Grande, Arizona. The helicopter was being operated by a local govern- ment law enforcement agency as a day, visual flight rules, post-maintenance test flight, under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The three occupants of the helicopter sus- tained minor injuries. Visual meteorologi- cal conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with
the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC)on June 26, the pilot said they were flying about 700 feet above the ground perform- ing a post-maintenance test flight, when an audible "bang" was heard. The heli- copter engine lost all power, and the pilot performed an autorotation. The helicopter landed hard, the right skid collapsed, and the helicopter came to rest on its right side. The tailboom and fuselage sus- tained substantial damage. The helicopter was being test flown with maintenance personnel on-board, following the modifi- cation of the air intake system.
WPR13LA295 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 1 MINOR
On June 27, 2013, about 1930 moun-
tain daylight time, a Robinson R44 heli- copter, N7187B, was substantially dam- aged following impact with terrain while maneuvering near Fielding, Utah. The student pilot was not injured. The helicop- ter was operated by a commercial heli- copter operator in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorologi- cal conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan had not been filed. The helicopter departed the Brigham City Airport (BMC), Brigham City, Utah, about 1830, with its destination being the Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD), Ogden, Utah.
In a statement submitted to a Federal
Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector, the student pilot reported that while returning to OGD and passing through a mountain pass, he felt a “bump” similar to turbulence. He then scanned
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