MILFORD, IA, USA
N8286
HILLER UH-12E
THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER REPORTED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS HE WAS TURNING TO REVERSE DIRECTION BETWEEN SWATH RUNS. THE PILOT STATED HE RETURNED TO LEVEL FLIGHT AND ENTERED AUTOROTATION. HE STATED HIS MAIN ROTOR RPM WAS LOW WHEN HE APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO CUSHION THE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. DURING TOUCHDOWN THE SKID LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON AS THE HELICOPTER WAS PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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