What happened
The flight originated at 13:15 from a local field before proceeding to another location to pick up a passenger. After landing, the aircraft departed with the intention of transporting the individual to a mining claims survey site. During the takeoff phase, the helicopter lost power. The pilot attempted to land but touched down on the left skid, causing the aircraft to bounce and subsequently roll over.
The investigation
Examiners conducted a thorough inspection of the helicopter, including tearing down the engine to identify any mechanical failures responsible for the sudden loss of power. No definitive reason for the power loss was found during this process. However, technicians discovered small fragments of metal, wood, cloth, and an O-ring within the fuel governor and fuel controller. Analysis suggested these items were consistent with a system operating in bypass mode. The experts concluded that the presence of this debris alone could not have caused a sudden partial loss of power. Other minor discrepancies were noted but were determined to be insufficient to affect normal engine operation.