Aviation Accident Summary ATL92LA007

MT. VERNON, AL, USA

Aircraft #1

N55714

KAMAN HH-43B/F

Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING REPOSITIONED FROM AN OPERATING BARGE TO THE BASE HELIPAD FOR REFUELING. EN ROUTE THE ENGINE SPEED ROLLED BACK TO FLIGHT IDLE, UNCOMMANDED. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS MADE IN A SHALLOW LAKE. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ON ITS SIDE AND DESTROYED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. A SUBSEQUENT EXAMIONATION OF THE ENGINE AND ITS ACCESSORIES FAILED TO REVEAL THE REASON FOR THE ROLL BACK.

Probable Cause and Findings

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports