This was the guy I was working for,and would like to ask a question.In the report it says the helicopter was vibrating,then the gen. light was on,what does that mean? Did the engine just shut off when that particular light comes on? Sounds to me something was about to break with the vibs.
I was with him once when he started the heli and after just a short while he said the temp was kind of high.We opened the cowl up while it was running and we seen that a snap ring had come out of it's groove on a small pipe on the side of the engine.He tried to put it back in,but it wouldn't so we went and worked it untill the day was done.He told me everytime he landed that it was HOT.That was fixed the next day by a mech.Here is the report on his crash
NTSB Identification:
WPR10LA126 14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Tuesday, February 02, 2010 in Escalon, CA
Aircraft: ARROW FALCON EXPORTERS INC OH-58A, registration: N9286U
Injuries: 1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On February 2, 2010, about 1400 Pacific standard time, an Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A helicopter, N9286U, landed hard in an orchard shortly after takeoff near Escalon, California. Cavanagh Flying Service was operating the helicopter under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. The certificated commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed from an orchard near Escalon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
According to the fuel truck driver, while fueling the helicopter prior to the flight, the pilot reported that the helicopter was vibrating. The pilot then took off in the helicopter, and while departing the area relayed over the radio that the generator light was illuminated. Shortly thereafter he relayed the message, "I'm going down."
The helicopter impacted terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the entire fuselage structure.
The wreckage was recovered for further examination.