Bell OH-58A N40TN

Summary

On 13 October 2012 at about 21:00 local time, a Bell OH-58A registered N40TN, operated by Jackson Police Department, was involved in an accident near Jackson, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 October 2012 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Jackson, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

McKellar-Sipes Regional (KMKL)

Coordinates

35.6261, -88.8031

Aircraft

Bell OH-58A

Registration

N40TN

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Jackson Police Department

Operating rule

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jackson → Jackson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13TA021

2 people had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was providing aerial observation for law enforcement activity on the ground when he observed the rotor rpm decaying. He initiated a descending left 180-degree autorotation to a flat, grassy area. As he was lining up for the intended landing area, he noticed that a man on a riding lawnmower was moving toward his intended touchdown point. To avoid a collision, he maneuvered the helicopter to the right to get ahead of the lawnmower. The pilot determined that he could not make his intended touchdown point and landed on uneven terrain. The helicopter impacted the ground, which resulted in damage to the fuselage, main rotor system and separation of the tail boom. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined despite a thorough engine examination and test run.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.