Bell TH-13T N74HL

Summary

On 7 April 1997 at about 13:15 local time, a Bell TH-13T registered N74HL, operated by U.s Department of Agriculture, was involved in an accident near Capitan, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 April 1997 at 13:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Capitan, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

33.5406, -105.5904

Aircraft

Bell TH-13T

Registration

N74HL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

U.s Department of Agriculture

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97TA154

Nobody was injured.

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while flying at an altitude of about 35 feet AGL and 30 knots, 'a slight shudder was felt in the helicopter as though a change of wind direction had occurred.' All instruments and systems 'remained in the green and functioning.' Several minutes later, a complete loss of engine power occurred. The pilot recalled hearing a 'strange noise' immediately preceding the loss of power. Subsequently, he initiated a low altitude auto rotation. Approximately 10 feet AGL, the helicopter began to turn to the left, and 'in order to avoid a roll over,' the pilot lowered the collective and informed the passenger of an immanent hard landing. During contact with the ground, the main rotor contacted and severed the tail boom. Immediately following the hard landing, a fire started in the engine compartment. Both the pilot and passenger evacuated, and the helicopter was consumed by fire. Examination of the wreckage to discover the cause of the loss of engine power was unsuccessful due to extreme fire damage to the engine, fuel system, and accessories. The ambient temperature and dew point were conducive to carburetor icing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.