LAFAYETTE, LA, USA
N3904L
BELL 206L-1
THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AFTER THE PLT NOTED THE ROTOR RPM AND N2 WOULD BLEED OFF WHEN COLLECTIVE PITCH WAS INCREASED TO 80 PERCENT TORQUE. THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT AND ELECTED TO AUTOROTATE INSTEAD OF LANDING WITH POWER AVAILABLE. THE AUTOROTATION RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. THE POWER LOSS WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE FULL CONTROL LEVER TO OPEN FULLY. THIS WAS THE RESULT OF A MECHANIC OVERTIGHTING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WHEN A PLT COMPLAINED OF THROTTLE CREEPING OPEN. THIS CREEPING IS CONSIDERED NORMAL ON A BELL 206L-1 ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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