THERIOT, LA, USA
N229EH
AEROSPATIALE AS35OD
THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN YAW IN THE HELICOPTER AT CRUISE FLIGHT. THE NG STARTED WINDING DOWN CONFIRMING AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT HAD TO EXTEND AN AUTOROTATION OVER A TREE LINE, WHICH CAUSED THE RPM TO DECREASE, AND MADE A HARD LANDING IN AN ADJACENT FIELD. DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER INCLUDED THE TAIL SECTION, LANDING GEAR AND MAIN ROTOR. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT BOTH THE GEAR SPUR COMPRESOR SHAFT AND THE GEAR SPUR ACCESSORY DRIVE WERE MISSING TEETH. THE INSPECTION ALSO REVEALED THAT METAL FRAGMENTS FROM THE GEARS WERE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE'S LUBRICATION SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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