JAMESTOWN, LA, USA
N5754P
BELL 206B
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL BURNING OPERATIONS OVER A WOODED AREA WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE HELICOPTER. AT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 FT ABOVE THE TALLEST TREE IN THE AREA WITH THE AERIAL TORCH BURNING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RPM AUDIO IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND. HE KEYED THE MICROPHONE AND CALLED "ENGINE FAILURE, ENGINE FAILURE" TWICE, AND DIRECTED THE HELICOPTER TO THE CLEAREST AREA. AFTER CRASHING INTO TREES, THE PILOT MANAGED TO CRAWL OUT. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT, PN 206-040-110-3, HAD FAILED, THUS DISCONNECTING THE ENGINE FROM THE MAIN ROTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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