Some info
Guys, I can share some info with you. My reasons for releasing this info are only so that people with a REAL interest in this terrible event i.e people who fly and operate these helicopters every day, can understand a little about what happened - nothing more, nothing less
1. Weather at the base (Approximately 9 miles away from accident site)
was reported as winds 150 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 statue miles, with scattered clouds at 7,000 feet and a broken layer of clouds at 8,000 feet.
2. Aircraft was on a Company VFR Flight Plan.
3. No distress call was received.
4. No evidence of post accident fire.
5. Initial analysis at this date indicates that at the onset of the
event, the aircraft was:
A. Aircraft in cruise flight and cruise airspeed with auto pilot
engaged.
B. Data indicates a significant reduction in torque on both engines
and an increase in collective pitch followed by a rapid reduction in Nr (Rotor RPM).
C. Pitch and roll data becomes erratic prior to loss of all recording
system power.
D. The aircraft experienced apparent loss of control and impacted in a
marsh area.
Factual Information:
No evidence of an in-flight deployment of the aircraft’s emergency
flotation system or externally mounted life rafts.
Air Traffic Control historical radar information was reviewed. It did
not provide a return of aircraft information. Radar coverage of the
area is not provided to the surface.
Main Transmission is intact with no anomalies noted at this time.
Intermediate Gear Box is intact. With no anomalies noted at this time.
Tail Rotor Gear Box was found with damage; case is separated. Internal
gearing appear to be as designed.
Tail Rotor Hangar Bearings currently show no evidence of pre-impact
failure.
Main Rotor Bifilar shows no failure other than those related to impact
Main and Tail Rotor Blade tip caps show no failure other than those
related to impact.
On preliminary inspection, Engines show no obvious anomalies. As noted
in the Investigation Status below, they are being shipped for further
inspection.
To date, no eye witnesses have been located. A few individuals have
been located that "heard" something, but did not actually see the event.
Investigation Status:
Analysis continues on Cockpit Voice Recorder, Flight Data Recorder,
Vibration Monitoring Acquisition Unit, and Digital Engine Control Units.
Engines are being shipped for further examination.
Investigation Team is currently inspecting aircraft wreckage.
Hydraulic servos have been shipped for further analysis.
Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) actuators have been shipped for
further analysis.