Accident Details
A helicopter operating under private use experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The pilot, who held a student helicopter certificate, had taken off to perform a hover and check the helicopter's condition. Approximately 50 seconds into the flight, the engine coughed and lost power. The pilot initiated an autorotation from an altitude of about 50 feet and an airspeed of 35 miles per hour. The helicopter subsequently landed hard, causing the rotor blades to flex downward and sever the tail boom. A fuel tank ruptured, and the helicopter caught fire.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a private single-engine pilot who also had a student helicopter certificate. He reported that before takeoff, he fueled the helicopter using a 5-gallon can that had been painted red. He rinsed the can and then used a spout strainer to add approximately 10 gallons of fuel.
Fueling and Engine
After warming the engine, the pilot took off and flew for about 50 seconds before the engine power loss occurred. During the post-accident disassembly of the carburetor, it was revealed that the main jet was blocked. Particles of red paint, matching the paint on the fuel can, were found near the blockage. Additionally, the helicopter had experienced little or no use in recent years. It was reported that residual gum may have accumulated during that time and/or the fuel may have gummed the red paint.
Post-Accident Examination
The examination of the carburetor identified the blocked main jet with red paint particles consistent with the paint on the fuel can used for refueling. The lack of recent use of the helicopter may have contributed to the presence of gum deposits, but the primary finding was the paint particle blockage.