Incident Summary
A flight operating in heavy snow conditions experienced an engine failure while en route. The pilot initiated an autorotation and attempted to maneuver the aircraft to avoid colliding with a railroad signal trestle. However, during the maneuver, the aircraft struck several railroad signal cables and subsequently crashed.
Equipment Details
The aircraft was not equipped with a particle separator. The installed inlet screen was not designed to handle heavy snow. Additionally, the aircraft lacked an auto-relite system, which is designed to automatically restart the engine in certain conditions.
Operational Limitations
According to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), flight in falling snow is prohibited without the auto-relite system installed. The aircraft was operating in falling snow without this system, which is contrary to the prescribed limitations.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not provide a stated probable cause.