What happened
On July 16, 2016, a McDonnell-Douglas MD-369E helicopter, operated by LIMA sp. z o.o., was performing an en route flight when the pilot detected a loss of power in the aircraft's propulsion system. Upon identifying the power loss, the pilot determined that the remaining engine parameters were sufficient to execute a return to the base located in Wielkie Lniskach.
Following the successful landing, a post-flight inspection was conducted. During this inspection, the pilot discovered a small crack on the external portion of the engine combustion chamber.
The investigation
The investigation, overseen by the operator, focused on the mechanical integrity of the propulsion system following the reported power loss. The examination of the aircraft's engine components confirmed the presence of structural damage to the combustion chamber casing.