# Accident 20150724015779A: Md Helicopters Inc 369FF, Vega Baja, PR, July 24, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 24, 2015, 09:45 local time
- Place: Vega Baja, PR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: JL0L
- Location: 18.4831° N, 66.3475° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.4831&lon=-66.3475&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5842Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5842Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: MD Helicopters 369FF (registry code 3030002, https://openairdocs.org/model/md-helicopters-369ff) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C30 series (registry code 03015, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MD HELICOPTERS INC 369FF
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C30 SER
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 6,700 total, 733 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA15LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA280) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150724015779A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED FROM LUIS MUÑOZ MARIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SJU) TO A FACILITY IN ARECIBO, PR. WHILE ENROUTE AT 300FT IN THE VICINITY OF CERRO GORDO, VEGA BAJA, PR THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY ENGINE POWER LOSS AND ENGINE CHIP AND LOW ROTOR RPM ANNUNCIATORS.  THE PILOT PROCEEDED TO DO AN AUTO ROTATION AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT. THE TAIL GOT SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT ON GROUND IMPACT. THE ROTORS ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN 2 FEET OF WATER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA15LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA280), Jul 24, 2015: MD Helicopter 369FF (N5842Z), Vega Baja, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to insufficient lubrication to the engine's No. 2 bearing, which resulted in the failure of the bearing and a subsequent forced landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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