20030813019959A

(-23) The aircraft was on a mission dropping water from a bambi bucket withlong line in use. The pilot had picked up a load of water and had reached an altitude of approximately 150' when the pilot heard a loud bang, engine out warning light illuminated, engine out horn sounded and there was an immediate power loss. He entered autorotation and impacted the ground without releasing the bambi bucket which was full of water. The aircraft impacted the ground on a heading of 130 degrees and slid for approximately 60 feet, coming to a stop on a heading of 060 degrees. Two witnesses on the ground stated they heard a popping sound from the engine followed with visible smoke and flame coming from the engine exhaust. On scene investigation revealed extensive accumulation of ferrous particles on the engine gearbox chip plug. The engine sump chip plug showed no abnormal accumulation of metal particles. The airframe mounted engine oil filter was examined and found to have an extensive amount of metal particles in the filter and filter housing. A small amount of engine oil was examined from the external filter and small, suspended metal particles were visible in the oil. The power turbine wheel was seized and could not be rotated by hand. When the main rotor blades were rotated backwards to engage the power train, scraping and metal rattling could be heard inside the power section of the engine.