Helicopter Crash on Fort Dix After Left Engine Failure (N63WW)

Accident Sequence

The helicopter crew contacted McGuire RAPCON and obtained clearance to proceed through the McGuire Air Force Base control zone at 1,500 feet. Shortly thereafter, the crew declared an emergency. Witnesses on the ground reported hearing a loud bang and observed the helicopter suddenly lose altitude. The helicopter recovered from the descent and initiated a turn toward Runway 6/24 at McGuire AFB. It then veered sharply to the right and crashed into wooded terrain on Fort Dix.

Witness Reports and Site Examination

Trees at the accident site were damaged at an 80-degree angle from the horizontal. Fire in the area of the engines was extinguished using Halon 1211 and AFFF agents. An examination of the wreckage revealed evidence of a left engine failure. There were indications that fragments from the left engine turbine had impacted the right engine while it was producing power. One of the tail rotor control cables and the tail rotor drive shaft were severed in the area of the right engine.

Metallurgical Analysis

A metallurgical check revealed indications of high cyclic fatigue of the second-stage gas producer turbine wheel in the curvic coupling and labyrinth seal area.