Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Robinson R44 II, AirGlass Inc., N395CE: Incident occurred January 07, 2016 in Anchorage, Alaska

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this incident. 

Aviation Incident Final Report -  National Transportation Safety Board:   http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Docket And Docket Items  -  National Transportation Safety Board:   http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Incident Data Summary  -  National Transportation Safety Board:  http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

NTSB Identification: ANC16IA013
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Incident occurred Thursday, January 07, 2016 in Anchorage, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/12/2016
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N395CE
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various sources and may have traveled in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft incident report.

The flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to do a postmaintenance check flight after servicing and overhaul of the helicopter's fuel injection servo assembly. The instructor stated that, after an extensive preflight inspection was completed, the helicopter was moved outside the hangar. The helicopter's engine was started and allowed to warm up for about 10 minutes, and all ground run-up checks were satisfactory. While operating at 100 percent rotor rpm and while raising the collective to begin the takeoff, the engine abruptly experienced a total loss of power.The helicopter remained on the ground and did not sustain damage. 

A detailed examination, which included disassembly of the fuel injection servo, revealed white contamination ranging in consistency from grease-like to solid throughout the entire fuel servo assembly. The lubricant was used in excess and in locations not approved by the manufacturer's maintenance manual. It is likely that the contamination throughout the fuel injection servo caused a disruption in fuel flow, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this incident as follows:
The overhaul facility's improper and excessive use of an approved lubricant during overhaul of the fuel injection servo, which resulted in a disruption of fuel flow and a total loss of engine power.

On January 7, 2016, about 1100 Alaska standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N395CE, sustained a total loss of engine power just prior to departure at the Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The private pilot, who was the helicopter owner, and his flight instructor were not injured. The helicopter sustained no damage as a result of the incident. The helicopter was registered to, and operated by, Airglas, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

During an on-scene interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on January 7, the flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to do a post maintenance check flight after servicing and overhaul of the helicopter's fuel injection servo assembly. The instructor stated that after an extensive preflight inspection was completed, the helicopter was moved outside of the hangar. The helicopter's engine was started and allowed to warm up for about 10 minutes, and all ground run-up checks were satisfactory. He said that while operating at 100 percent rotor rpm and while raising the collective to begin the takeoff, the engine abruptly lost all power.

The helicopter was equipped with a fuel injected, Lycoming IO-540 series engine.

A postincident inspection of the fuel servo assembly revealed a white, greasy substance within the venturi of the servo assembly. 

The helicopter's maintenance records revealed that the fuel injection servo had been overhauled on December 14, 2015 by Alaskan Aircraft Engines, Inc., Anchorage, before being reinstalled on the accident helicopter. 

On January 14, the NTSB IIC along with another NTSB investigator, and a representative from Precision Airmotive LLC, examined the fuel injection servo at the facilities of Precision Airmotive in Marysville, Washington. Due to excessive white grease like contamination behind the test port plugs the servo was not flow tested. Disassembly inspection revealed large amounts of white contamination ranging in consistency from grease like to solid. The contamination was present in the manual mixture control valve, idle valve plate, fuel section O-rings, and the fuel diaphragm with the bleed port almost completely blocked. 

On January 19, the NTSB IIC along with another NTSB investigator, and two FAA aviation safety inspectors, visited the facilities of Alaska Aircraft Engines, Inc., in Anchorage, and disassembled a recently overhauled fuel injection servo. The inspection revealed excessive amounts of a white grease like substance throughout the fuel injection servo, consistent with the servo removed from the accident helicopter. A representative from Alaska Aircraft Engines stated that about 6 months prior they had switched assembly lubricants to Dupont Krytox an approved lubricant, but due to the investigation realized it was not being used in accordance with the maintenance manual and ended in excessive and inappropriate application. 

Dupont describes Krytox 240 series greases in part: as white, buttery greases based on perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oils. These synthetic fluorinated lubricants are used in extreme conditions such as continuous high temperatures up to 300°C (572°F) and higher temperatures for shorter periods, depending on product grade limits. Chemically inert and safe for use around hazardous chemicals, these lubricants are nonflammable and are safe for use in oxygen service.

A review of the Precision Airmotive Corporation Aircraft Fuel Injection Maintenance Manual for the RSA-10-AD1 Fuel Injection Servo Assembly lists three places where Krytox is to be used during assembly and states, in part:

"Apply Krytox or Braycote on mixture control lever assembly between lever stop and preformed packing.

NOTE: Remove excess Braycote or Krytox with Fluoroclean X-100. 

Apply Krytox or Braycote on idle valve shaft outboard preformed packing 

NOTE: Remove excess Braycote or Krytox with Fluoroclean X-100. 

Place servo stem spring over stem of fuel diaphragm assembly Lubricate threaded portion of diaphragm with ASTM Number 5 or Vaseline. Apply a light film of Krytox or Braycote to the concave side of seal. Place servo stem seal over stem with flange and concave side up. Press seal down on diaphragm stem to engage it at the spring. Remove lubricant from stem." 

In a conversation with the NTSB IIC, a representative from Precision Airmotive LLC stated that Krytox should be applied in a thin light coat, with all excess removed in only the locations specified in the maintenance manual. 

On January 19, Alaska Aircraft Engines issued a Service Advisory that stated, in part: "Beginning in June of 2015 Alaskan Aircraft Engines purchased and began use of an approved assembly lube it had not used previously. This lube was used in excess and in locations not required by the manufacturer's service manual. We believe this has the potential to cause a fuel distribution problem."

AIRGLAS INC:  http://registry.faa.gov/N395CE

NTSB Identification: ANC16IA013
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Incident occurred Thursday, January 07, 2016 in Anchorage, AK
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N395CE
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

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. NTSB investigators used data provided by various sources and may have traveled in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft incident report.

On January 7, 2016, about 1100 Alaska standard time, N395CE, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, sustained a total loss of engine power just prior to departure at the Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The private pilot, who was the helicopter owner, and his flight instructor were not injured. The helicopter sustained no damage as a result of the incident. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Airglas Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. 

During an on-scene interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) on January 7, 2016, the flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to do a postmaintenance check flight after servicing and overhaul of the helicopter's fuel injection servo assembly. The instructor stated that after an extensive preflight inspection was completed, the helicopter was moved outside of the hangar. The helicopter's engine was started and allowed to warm up for about 10 minutes, and all ground run-up checks were satisfactory. He said that while operating at 100 percent rotor rpm and while raising the collective to begin the takeoff, the engine abruptly lost all power. 

The helicopter was equipped with a fuel injected, Lycoming IO-540 series engine. 

A postincident inspection of the fuel servo assembly revealed a white, greasy substance within the body of the servo assembly. A detailed examination of the fuel servo assembly is pending. 

The closest weather reporting facility is Anchorage International Airport. About 7 minutes before the incident, at 1953, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at Anchorage, Alaska, reported in part, wind 010 degrees at 6 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; few clouds at 6500 feet; temperature, 19 degrees F; dew point 16 degrees F; altimeter, 29.87 inHG.

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