LEMOORE, CA, USA
N688SB
HILLER UH-12E
THE PLT REPTD THAT WHILE RETURNING TO THE LOADING AREA AFTER SPRAYING A FIELD, HE HEARD A LOUD POP EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER HE OBSERVED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LOST FORWARD AND AFT CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. THE PLT IMMEDIATELY EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS SIDE ON TOUCH DOWN. THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NUMBER 3 CONNECTING ROD BOLTS FAILED. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE REMAINING CON ROD BOLTS TORQUE VALUES WERE ABT 50% LESS THAN THE REQUIRED VALUES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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