Accident Details
On June 19, 2013, at 1013 central daylight time, an Enstrom F-28A (registration N485PM) landed hard after the engine lost power at Salaika Aviation Airport (07TA) in Danbury, Texas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Salaika Air Services, Danbury, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from 07TA at approximately 1000.
Sequence of Events
Shortly after takeoff, while turning downwind in the airport traffic pattern, the pilots heard a loud "bang" and the engine lost power. The instructor initiated an autorotation. The helicopter touched down and slid, striking a ground rut that broke the right skid. The helicopter then rolled over onto its right side. The main rotor blades were destroyed, and the tail boom was severed.
Post-Accident Examination
Post-accident examination revealed that a connecting rod had ventilated the engine crankcase. The reason the connecting rod failed was not determined.