Bell 206B Jet Ranger II - G-HMPT
The helicopter was being used to transport Christmas trees via underslung load out of a plantation to the side of a forest road. A load had been attached to the remote hook and was lifted clear of the surrounding trees.
The pilot then accelerated the helicopter and was intending to climb to about 100 feet agl before turning towards the dump site. At about 80 feet the "ENGINE OUT" warning sounded and the rotor RPM began to decay. The pilot landed the aircraft amongst the trees, between two rows.
After the aircraft had landed it was found that the engine had run down to idle though the throttle was still fully open. The pilot shut down the engine in the normal way and after it had stopped he noticed that the turbine outlet temperature was indicating 640 degrees Celcius (normal idle range 540_C to
600_C). He evacuated the aircraft and checked for fire but could find none. There had not beent ime to release the underslung load and this had contacted thetail rotor, destroying it, on landing.
The pilot then accelerated the helicopter and was intending to climb to about 100 feet agl before turning towards the dump site. At about 80 feet the "ENGINE OUT" warning sounded and the rotor RPM began to decay. The pilot landed the aircraft amongst the trees, between two rows.
After the aircraft had landed it was found that the engine had run down to idle though the throttle was still fully open. The pilot shut down the engine in the normal way and after it had stopped he noticed that the turbine outlet temperature was indicating 640 degrees Celcius (normal idle range 540_C to
600_C). He evacuated the aircraft and checked for fire but could find none. There had not beent ime to release the underslung load and this had contacted thetail rotor, destroying it, on landing.