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NTSB Report

August 4, 1998 · Enstrom F-28F · N8619M

Bryce Canyon, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Bryce Canyon, UT
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28F
Tail Number
N8619M
Operator
Aladdin Air Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA342

The pilot was departing to the east when he noticed a drop in rotor rpm. He rolled the throttle, but no power was being produced from the engine. He landed straight ahead and performed a high altitude run on landing. After touching down, the helicopter slid approximately 30 to 40 feet. The left skid was caught in ground brush, and the left front support of the landing gear was broken. The tail rotor blades were bent, and while still rotating, impacted the skid bar, shearing the bar off and separating the gear box from the tail. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. Postaccident examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed the turbocharger had leaked oil into the induction system. According to his accident report, 'The slight power loss appears to have been caused by the oil leakage pass[ing] the seals in the turbocharger.'

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power due to an oil leak in the turbocharger system. Factors were high vegetation and high density altitude.

Full Narrative

On August 4, 1998, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, an Enstrom F-28F helicopter, N8619M, sustained substantial damage during an autorotation landing after the engine lost power following takeoff from Aladdin Air Heliport near Bryce Canyon, Utah. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area sightseeing flight being operated by Aladdin Air Service, Inc. under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was departing to the east when he noticed a drop in rotor rpm. He rolled the throttle, but no power was being produced from the engine. He made the decision to land straight ahead and performed a high altitude run on landing. After touching down, the helicopter slid approximately 30 to 40 feet. The left skid was caught in ground brush, and the left front support of the landing gear was broken. The tail rotor blades were bent, and while still rotating, impacted the skid bar, shearing the bar off and separating the gear box from the tail. The helicopter came to rest on its left side, further damaging one main rotor blade. The pilot stated that the preflight he performed indicated there was no oil present on the turbocharger blades, and the oil level was indicating 7 qts. According to the pilot, normal rate of oil consumption for this model helicopter is 1 qt. per 10 hours of flight. He estimated the helicopter had ingested approximately 3/4 of a quart of oil into the engine prior to the time of the accident. Postaccident examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the turbocharger had leaked oil into the induction system. When the exhaust pipe was removed from the turbocharger, oil was found at the bottom of the housing. According to his accident report, "The slight power loss appears to have been caused by the oil leakage pass[ing] the seals in the turbocharger."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MDT
Nearest AirportAladdin Air Heliport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F-28F
Tail NumberN8619M
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAladdin Air Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-FIAD · Reciprocating · 225
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:59
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data