# NTSB CHI01LA162: Giackino Exec 162F, N556DG, Manistique, MI, June 12, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 2001, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Manistique, MI - Coordinates: 45.950275, -86.249061 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9503&lon=-86.2491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids, Michigan-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52527 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52527/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA162 ## Probable cause The contamination of the main rotor drive belts causing them to slip. Factors were the low altitude, unsuitable terrain for the forced landing, and the water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Rotor failure/malfunction, maneuvering - rotor drive system,main rotor drive belt - contamination (cause) - altitude - low (contributing factor) - rotor drive system,main rotor drive belt - slipped (cause) - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The helicopter was participating in the search for lost hunters when the main rotor drive belts began to slip and squeal. The pilot was unable to maintain rotor speed and executed a forced landing into a river. The pilot reported that there was dense forest to the left and people and vehicles to the right of his flight path. A postaccident examination of the helicopter was performed. The main rotor drive belts were found to be contaminated with a liquid. The pilot reported that the liquid was possibly engine coolant. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 2001, at 1410 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Giackino Exec 162F helicopter, N556DG, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the water while maneuvering near Manistique, Michigan. The aircraft came to rest in the Manistique River. The pilot and his one passenger were not injured. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The local flight departed from the Schoolcraft County Airport, Manistique, Michigan at 1340. The pilot reported that he was participating in a search for lost hunters in the area of Manistique, Michigan. He said that his flight pattern was to follow the Manistique river. He said that during the flight at about 50 feet AGL, he heard a sound that sounded like squealing of belts coming from the engine compartment. He said that the rotor speed began to slowly drop and he was unable to maintain rotor speed even after adding additional engine speed. The pilot executed a forced landing into the river. The pilot reported that there was dense forest to the left and people and vehicles to the right of his flight path. A postaccident examination of the helicopter was performed. The main rotor drive belts were found to be contaminated with a liquid. The pilot reported that the liquid was possibly engine coolant. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N556DG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N556DG-2001-09-17), registration cancelled 2001-09-17, S/N 6341 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Giackino Exec 162F - Registry model: [Giackino Donald EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/giackino-donald-exec-162f) (registry code 05606JT) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6341 - Airframe hours: 123 - Engines: Rotorway 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald W. Giackino - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 18, 2000, 24 hours before - Departed: ISQ, Manistique, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 25, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 518 total, 122 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: ISQ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010612014419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010612014419A), Jun 12, 2001: Amtr EXEC162F, Manistique, MI, No damage. (-23) In low altitude cruise, engine/rotor drivebelt began to squeal and main rotor speed could not be maintained. The rotorcraft landed in the Manistique… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.