ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 77937
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| Date: | Friday 24 September 2010 |
| Time: | 12:45 LT |
| Type: |  Bell OH-58A Kiowa |
| Owner/operator: | Cahaba Forestry Services |
| Registration: | N132HD |
| MSN: | 41930 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1972 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 9030 hours |
| Engine model: | Rolls Royce T63-A-720 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Taylorsville, Mississippi -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The helicopter pilot was surveying a field in preparation for aerial application. While he was maneuvering the helicopter about 100 feet above the ground, the engine lost all power without warning. The pilot noticed a space in between the trees and attempted to autorotate to that spot, but the helicopter impacted trees nearby. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed 16 gallons of fuel remained in the helicopter and no fuel contamination was observed.
A successful test-run of the engine was subsequently performed. Examination of the fuel boost pump revealed that the inlet shut-off valve arm was bent, which could restrict fuel flow. When power was applied to the pump, it pumped fuel from a bucket; however, it did not appear to pump the fuel at maximum capacity. Further testing was performed utilizing both the bent arm and a replacement stock arm. The test results were similar for both arms, which were both below the pump's flow requirements. The bent arm was re-installed and a third examination was conducted at the pump manufacturer's facility, which revealed that the pump's ring tong terminals and pump cartridge were the incorrect models for the fuel boost pump; however, during the third test, the pump passed flow tests as received, and flow improved when the inlet valve stem assembly and cartridge were replaced. The bent inlet shut-off valve arm and/or incorrect fuel boost pump assembly could have resulted in a total loss of engine power; however, the investigation could not determine what, if any, effect they had on the helicopter at the time of the accident.
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of engine power while maneuvering at low altitude for undetermined reasons.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
http://www.msnewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13214048
http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=13214048
NTSB
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 27 July 2022 | N132HD | Triple F Flying Inc | 0 | Bloomsburg, PA | |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Sep-2010 23:33 | slowkid | Added |
| 12-Oct-2021 18:38 | harro | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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