OTSEGO, OH, USA
N16861
SIKORSKY S-55B
THE PILOT WAS SPREADING FERTILIZER BY USING EXTERNAL BUCKETS. AS HE WAS UNHOOKING A BUCKET, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE DID A HOVERING AUTOROTATION, BUT THE HELICOPTER SETTLED ON A BUCKET, TIPPED OVER AND ALLOWED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO HIT THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE HAD MECHANICAL CONTINUITY AND THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CLEAN AND WORKING PROPERLY. HOWEVER, EVIDENCE OF ARCING WAS FOUND IN THE MAGNETO SWITCH CASE. ALSO, SIGNS WERE FOUND THAT INDICATED MOISTURE HAD BEEN PRESENT IN THE SWITCH. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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