Incident Overview
A helicopter experienced a power loss while flying at 50 knots and an altitude of 100 feet above the ocean. The flight was being conducted to record video footage of the area. The pilot executed an autorotation into the water, and both the pilot and a passenger were immediately rescued by a nearby boat.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the helicopter. The inspection found that the engine had been contaminated with salt water. Continuity was established throughout the engine and the drive train. The magnetos sparked when rotated, and there was a mixture of oil and water in the crankcase as well as fuel and water in the fuel tanks.
Fuel Shutoff Valve Findings
Examination of the fuel shutoff valve control lock revealed that it could be repositioned to allow movement of the control to the 'off' position with a slight downward pressure on the control knob. The fuel shutoff valve control knob was located directly to the left of the passenger's left foot and approximately one inch above the floor. The exact position of the fuel shutoff valve prior to the accident was not determined.
Passenger Information
The passenger was wearing his seatbelt loosely to enable him to film directly out of the helicopter doorway.