What happened
On an unspecified date, a Bell 430 helicopter, registration B-55531, was performing an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). During the flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power, necessitating an immediate transition to an autorotation procedure to attempt an emergency landing.
As the crew attempted to manage the descent, the aircraft's altitude and airspeed decreased rapidly. Despite the crew's efforts to execute the emergency landing procedure, the helicopter struck the ground, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft. There were 2 occupants on board the aircraft at the time of the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading from the initial engine power loss to the impact. Investigators reviewed cockpit area microphone (CAM) recordings and radio communications between the captain and the first officer. The data revealed a period of intense activity as the crew managed the engine failure and prepared for the forced landing. The investigation also examined the aircraft's maintenance records, including the engine's Allison 250-C40B powerplants, and the compliance of the operation with the approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL) and standard operating procedures.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of engine power during the flight.
- The crew attempted to execute an autorotation to land the aircraft safely.
- The aircraft was operating in a VFR environment at the time of the engine failure.