Bell OH-58A N283MP

Summary

On 26 October 2013 at about 18:00 local time, a Bell OH-58A registered N283MP, operated by Missouri State Highway Patrol, was involved in an accident near Jefferson City, Missouri, United States. 2 people were 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

26 October 2013 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Jefferson City, Missouri, United States

Nearest airport

Jefferson City Memorial (JEF)

Coordinates

38.5911, -92.1561

Aircraft

Bell OH-58A

Registration

N283MP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Missouri State Highway Patrol

Operating rule

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jefferson City → Jefferson City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14TA020

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot receiving instruction reported that the purpose of the flight was to remain in the airport traffic pattern while practicing autorotation landings. He stated that, after about 45 minutes of flight training, the engine began to fluctuate between full and half power while the helicopter was climbing on a downwind leg. The helicopter also experienced an uncommanded yaw with each engine power fluctuation. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and entered a straight-in autorotation toward a nearby field. The helicopter touched down with a slight forward ground run, during which the left skid dug into the soft soil, which caused the helicopter to rotate 180 degrees before it stopped. The main rotor blades severed the tail boom from the fuselage during the forced landing. A postaccident examination revealed no airframe anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the helicopter. During a test run, the accident engine demonstrated normal operation at all power settings and was capable of producing maximum takeoff horsepower. Uncontaminated fuel was found onboard the helicopter. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.