Peterson Mark G PETERSON A600 N272AM

Summary

On 6 April 2023 at about 17:10 local time, a Peterson Mark G PETERSON A600 registered N272AM was involved in an accident near Foley, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 April 2023 at 17:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Foley, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Collier Airpark (2AL1)

Coordinates

30.4253, -87.7788

Aircraft

Peterson Mark G PETERSON A600

Registration

N272AM

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2012

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA183

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the disconnection of the turbocharger air intake hose and clamp, and the pilot’s inadequate servicing and preflight inspection of the turbocharger air intake clamp.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built helicopter reported that he had hovered around the airport for about 20 minutes without issue and then initiated a takeoff to remain in the traffic pattern. During the initial climb, about 20 to 30 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power and the helicopter yawed to the right. The pilot entered an autorotation and performed a run-on landing on a grass surface. During the landing, the right skid dug into uneven terrain, the helicopter rolled over onto its right side, and a post-crash fire quickly ignited. The pilot was able to extract himself from the helicopter without injury, however, the helicopter was destroyed by the post-impact fire. The pilot reported that after the accident, he discovered an undamaged turbocharger air intake hose clamp directly in his departure path in the grass. Photographs of the turbocharger revealed that the air intake clamp was not installed, and the intake hose had been consumed by fire. The pilot reported that about a week prior to the accident, while the helicopter was being transported on a trailer, he personally adjusted this clamp and intake hose, and he may have forgotten to tighten the clamp. During the initial climb, it is likely that the turbocharger intake hose and clamp separated from its installation area, and as a result, engine power was lost.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.