US EMS Bell 407 Engine Failure

[SASless]

Damage to the aircraft only.....but reminds us of the implications of an Engine Failure in a Songle engine helicopter at night.



At approximately 03:00 a Bell 407, experienced a mechanical issue in flight while repositioning from the Airport back to the hospital
after refueling.

The Pilot-in-Command (PIC) reported that he heard an unusual noise in
flight. The PIC checked his instruments and reduced power to set up
for a landing. At the terminal phase of the approach, the aircraft
landed hard and sustained damage. The pilot was the only crewmember
on board and sustained no injuries. The PAIP was activated, the pilot
was transported for examination and the incident was reported to the
FAA and NTSB. Although currently under investigation, initial
indications point to material failure in the engine as the cause. The
engine has been sent to the manufacturer for tear down analysis to
help determine the cause.

The pilot is being credited for his professional skills and the high
standard of training in avoiding further injury or damage.

[Shawn Coyle]

The FADEC computer should have captured all the necessary info (unless it was the computer itself that failed).
I've used that info to good effect in trying to determine the cause of problems. Almost as valuable as a CVR and FDR.

[BigMike]

Was he using NVG's?

[SASless]

No mention of NVG's at all....thus NVG unknown!

[Hawkeye0001]

May I ask what this "PAIP" is that is mentioned in the report?
Tried searching , but although it kind of fits the scenario it's certainly not the "Personal Automobile Insurance Plan" Google came up with :}

[helicopter]

Post Accident/Incident Plan.

[Turkeyslapper]

but reminds us of the implications of an Engine Failure in a Songle engine helicopter at night.

What about the implications of a tail rotor or transmission failure on a multi at night........Having two engines doesn't help a AW139 when the tail rotors fall off either :}

Still a nice machine to fly though.

Cheers

[krypton_john]

... or MRGB failure or fuel starvation which I suspect occur more often than turbine engine failures.

... or pilot brain failures that definitely happen more often than any other cause of helicopter accidents.