What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) MD 396D helicopter sustained substantial damage during a hard landing following a loss of engine power while engaged in cedar block lift work in accordance with title 14 code of federal regulations part 133 operations. The pilot reported that initially, he experienced a power surge and then about five minutes later a total loss of power. He released the external load and transitioned into an autorotational descent. During the descent, the main rotor blades contacted trees and the helicopter landed hard collapsing the left skid. The pilot reported approximately 120 pounds of fuel on board at the time of the accident. (See attached sheet).
As the FAA filed it
(-23) MD 396D HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING A HARD LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE ENGAGED IN CEDAR BLOCK LIFT WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 133 OPERATIONS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT INITIALLY, HE EXPERIENCED A POWER SURGE AND THEN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. HE RELEASED THE EXTERNAL LOAD AND TRANSITIONED INTO AN AUTOROTATIONAL DESCENT. DURING THE DESCENT, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED TREES AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE LEFT SKID. THE PILOT REPORTED APPROXIMATELY 120 POUNDS OF FUEL ON BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. (SEE ATTACHED SHEET).
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.
Other reports on N5225C · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.