LA BELLE, FL, USA
N8126H
FAIRCHILD HILLER FH-1100
THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT A LOW ALT & LOST ALL ENG POWER, BANKED SHARPLEY TO THE LEFT, LOST COMPLETE CONTROL & DOVE INTO THE GROUND. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES ALONG WITH THE POST CRASH FIRE. NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A MALFUNCTION OF THE HELICOPTER'S STRUCTURE OR FLT CONTROLS PRIOR TO IMPACT WAS FOUND. ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE EXIBITED EVIDENCE OF UPWARD BENDING AT THE TIP, INDICATIVE OF CONING AT IMPACT. ENG TEARDOWN & EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE ENG FAILED DUE TO THE INJESTION OF A CLOTH SHOP TOWEL INTO THE COMPRESSOR SECTION OF THE ENG.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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