Danbury, TX, USA
N485PM
ENSTROM F-28A
The pilot had just taken off in the helicopter when the pilot and the flight instructor heard a loud “bang,” and the engine lost total power. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and initiated an autorotation to available terrain from a low altitude; however, when the helicopter touched down, it encountered a rut and rolled over on its right side. The main rotor blades were destroyed, and the tail boom was severed. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a connecting rod had failed. The reason the connecting rod failed could not be determined during postaccident examination.
On June 19, 2013, at 1013 central daylight time, an Enstrom F-28A, N485PM, landed hard after the engine lost power at Salaika Aviation Airport (07TA), Danbury, Texas. The instructor and student pilot were not injured. The helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Salaika Air Services, Danbury, Texas, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from 07TA approximately 1000. The helicopter had just taken off and was turning downwind in the airport’s traffic pattern when the pilots heard a loud “bang” and the engine lost power. The instructor initiated an auto rotation. The helicopter touched down and slid, striking a ground rut that broke the right skid. The helicopter rolled over on its right side. The main rotor blades were destroyed and the tail boom was severed. Post-accident examination revealed a connecting rod had ventilated the engine crankcase. The reason the connecting rod failed was not determined.
The total loss of engine power due to the failure of a connecting rod for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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