ANC95LA014

The helicopter was in cruise flight, in light falling snow, when the pilot heard a pop and experienced an engine power loss. The pilot autorotated to the ground onto rough terrain. The landing was hard and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. Examination of the helicopter showed that it was not equipped with a deflector kit or flow vanes. The helicopter did not have an engine relight system installed.

On December 4, 1994, at 1230 Alaska standard time, a skid equipped Bell 206B helicopter, N3179X, registered to Kenai Air Hawaii of Honolulu, Hawaii, and operated by the pilot, experienced an engine flameout during cruise flight. The pilot autorotated the helicopter to the ground and landed hard on the beach approximately 8 miles south of Kenai, Alaska. After landing the helicopter turned 180 degrees on the ground and rolled onto its right side. The search and rescue flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Kenai Airport, Kenai, for a local flight. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial certificated pilot and the two passengers were not injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged.

According to the pilot, he heard a little pop and then the engine flamed out. He executed an autorotation. During the landing the pilot pulled the collective to avoid rough terrain and attempted to land the helicopter in area that was less rough. The rotor RPM decayed and the helicopter landed hard.

The pilot stated, the helicopter was not equipped with an engine relight system. Snow deflectors were not installed on the engine inlets and it was snowing lightly. He stated that they visually checked the inlet during flight and it did not appear to be obstructed.

The pilot, owner of Kenai Air Alaska and South Central Air, was operating the helicopter on a search for a missing company airplane. The flight was not related to the Kenai Air Alaska, or South Central Air, air taxi operations.

Subsequent examination of the engine and helicopter showed that there was fuel on board and the fuel samples were clean. The engine's compressor turned freely and the power turbine turned freely. No damage was visible except for a small bend on the leading edge of one compressor blade. The fuel lines were examined and found to be secure. The air pressure lines were found to be secure. The magnetic plugs were free from magnetic debris. The examination also showed that the helicopter was not equipped with a deflector kit or the flow vanes.

According to the Bell Helicopter, Rotorcraft Manufacturer's Data Manual and the Bell Helicopter 206 Flight Manual, "The following equipment shall be installed when conducting flight operations in falling and/or blowing snow to reduce the possibility of engine flameout: The Particle Separator Engine Air Induction System Kit and the Deflector Kit."

The Manuals further state that "the Particle Separator Engine Air Induction System shall be installed in conjunction with Deflector Kit when conducting flight operations in falling and/or blowing snow and the following limits apply: Hover flight in falling and/or blowing snow is limited to 20 minutes duration after which the helicopter must be landed and checked for snow and/or ice accumulation."