Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A+ N298CP

Summary

On 28 September 2009 at about 02:00 local time, a Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A+ registered N298CP, operated by Reforestation Services Inc, was involved in an accident near Myrtle Creek, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 September 2009 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Myrtle Creek, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

43.0019, -123.7789

Aircraft

Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A+

Registration

N298CP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Reforestation Services Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Myrtle Creek → Myrtle Creek

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA471

1 person had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was equipped with aerial application equipment, however, the chemical tanks were empty at the time of the accident. As the helicopter departed the landing zone, the pilot sensed that more power than usual was being required to clear the 10- to 12-foot trees at the edge of the takeoff zone. He checked the engine instruments, which indicated normal readings, and 100 percent torque. Following his instrument check he heard "popping sounds coming from the engine." The pilot said that once over the trees, between 20 and 30 knots airspeed, the helicopter would not accelerate and settled into the trees despite applying full collective. On scene documentation of the rotor blades indicated leading edge damage and upward bending of the blades, indicative of low rotor energy at the time of rotor blade impact with the trees and terrain. Examination of the engine identified leading edge damage to the compressor blades; however, a functional test cell run of the engine revealed it was capable of producing rated horsepower. No airframe anomalies were identified during the airframe examination that could explain the loss of power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.