GRAND CANYON, AZ, USA
N38903
BELL 206L-3
WHILE ON A NON-REVENUE BUSINESS FLT, THE PLT NOTED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER WITH THE N1 DROPPING TO 70% RPM & THE TORQUE DECREASING TO 10%. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE POWER & SUBSEQUENTLY MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE GRAND CANYON. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON AN UPWARD SLOPE. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK & SEVERED THE REAR PORTION OF THE TAIL BOOM. AFTER LANDING, THE N1 WAS STILL AT 70% WITH THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN. AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER & ENG REVEALED NO CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. EVENTUALLY, AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENG WAS MADE, BUT STILL NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 3500 FT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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