Saturday, March 30, 2019

Powerplant System / Components Malfunction / Failure: Schweizer 269C-1, N3947C, accident occurred January 24, 2018 near Downtown Fort Lauderdale Heliport (DT1), Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida

Helicopter at the Accident Site and View of Rooftop Helipad
Federal Aviation Administration

Intake Valve from the No. 4 Cylinder 

Federal Aviation Administration

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf   

http://registry.faa.gov/N3947C


Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Accident Number: ERA18LA068
Date & Time: 01/24/2018, 1656 EST
Registration: N3947C
Aircraft: SCHWEIZER 269C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis 

The helicopter was departing from a rooftop helipad, and the flight instructor noticed that, during the initial climb, as the helicopter crossed over the rooftop edge, the low rotor rpm horn and light activated. The helicopter then began to descend. The flight instructor lowered the collective and attempted twice to increase the throttle, but his actions did not stop the descent. Subsequently, he performed an autorotation to a street below the helipad and landed hard, resulting in substantial damage to the tail rotor and tailboom.

During a postaccident examination and test run of the engine, the engine produced idle power, but the No. 4 cylinder's compression checks were not normal. The No. 4 cylinder intake and exhaust valves were examined, and both displayed a significant amount of carbon deposit buildup on the valve stem. The intake valve was found stuck in its valve guide and was scratched and scarred. The source of the scarring to the intake valve was not determined. Given the signatures observed on the No. 4 cylinder intake valve, it is likely that, during the initial climb, the intake valve became stuck, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a stuck intake valve on the No. 4 cylinder.

Findings

Aircraft
Recip eng cyl section - Malfunction (Cause)

Factual Information

On January 24, 2018, about 1656 eastern standard time, a Schweizer 269C-1, N3947C, operated by Pelican Flight Training LLC., was substantially damaged during an forced landing after takeoff from the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Heliport (DT1), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight was operated in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida.

According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate radio communication procedures to the student pilot, who was enrolled in an air traffic control training program. The flight departed HWO and after about 35 minutes of flight time, the helicopter landed uneventfully at the DT1 rooftop helipad. The student pilot exited the helicopter for a few minutes to take photographs, the flight instructor kept the engine running at 2,500 rpm, and once the student re-entered the helicopter, the instructor entered a hover to depart the helipad.

The flight instructor reported that he demonstrated a maximum performance takeoff procedure; the helicopter gained altitude, started traveling forward, and as the helicopter approached the edge of the rooftop, simultaneously, the low rotor rpm light and horn activated. The helicopter started sinking and he immediately lowered the collective and attempted to add throttle, which did not stop the descent, so he repeated the procedure a second time, and realized that he already had full throttle applied. The sink continued, and he performed an autorotation landing to a street below and ahead of the helicopter's flight path.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the flight instructor held commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates with ratings for rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument-helicopter. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued in May 2017.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the two-seat, skid-equipped, helicopter, was manufactured in 2008, and was equipped with a Lycoming HIO-360-G1A, 180-horsepower engine. The most recent annual and 100-hour inspection was performed in September 2017. The engine had accumulated 297.1 hours since the last major overhaul in April 2015.

The weather conditions reported about the time of the accident at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which was located about 3 miles south of the accident site, included wind at 030° at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky conditions scattered at 2,700 ft and broken at 6,000 ft above ground level, temperature 23°C, and dew point 21°C.

The helicopter landed hard on a street about 700 ft east, and about 110 ft below the rooftop helipad. During the landing, the helicopter's tail rotor and tail boom sustained substantial damage.

During a postaccident examination conducted by an FAA inspector, the engine cylinder compression was checked with the engine at ambient temperature. Each cylinder produced a normal result, except for the No. 4 cylinder, which produced 20/80. As the pressure gauge was being evaluated during the test, a "metallic snap or click" was heard by the inspector, and the pressure jumped to 40/80. The engine was then cranked with the electric starter for about 15 seconds, and the No. 4 cylinder compression rose to 78/80. The engine was started with its existing fluids and accessories and produced idle power. Both magnetos produced an acceptable drop in rpm during the test.

Further examination of the No. 4 cylinder by the FAA inspector revealed that the exhaust valve stem had a thick coating of lead and carbon deposit build up but moved freely out of its valve guide. The intake valve was found sticking in its valve guide and had to be removed with a drift punch hammer. The intake valve stem displayed scarring and scratches and had significant carbon deposit build up. A subsequent wobble test was performed on the No. 4 cylinder intake and exhaust valve; the exhaust valve displayed normal side play, but the intake valve had no side play, which was abnormal.

According to engine overhaul records, four factory new cylinders were installed on the engine in April 2015. According to the mechanic who had performed the past three annual and 100-hour inspections on the helicopter, none of the cylinders were removed during the inspections, nor would it be routine for him to do so.

According to the flight instructor, who routinely flew the accident helicopter on training flights, about 3 months prior to the accident, he experienced a "knocking" sensation that could be felt through the flight controls. The flight instructor reported that he did not believe it was anything serious, but he verbally reported the event to the flight school's mechanic. According to the flight instructor, the mechanic said that he should report it if it happens again. During a postaccident interview, the flight instructor further reported to an FAA inspector that 3 days prior to the accident, while flying in the accident helicopter straight and level, he would occasionally feel a "tiny bump."

The Textron Lycoming Service Instruction, No. 1425A, dated January 19th, 1988, Suggested Maintenance Procedures to Reduce the Possibility of Valve Sticking, stated in part:

Field experience has shown that engine oil contamination increases the possibility of sticking and/or stuck valves. This situation occurs when the contaminants in the engine lubrication oil become deposited on the valve stems, restricting the valve movement, and resulting in intermittent engine hesitation or miss. If corrective action is not taken to remove the deposits, a valve could become stuck causing engine damage.

The service instruction further stated in part that, operating in high ambient temperatures, slow flight with reduced cooling, or high lead content of fuel, can promote deposit build-up reducing valve guide clearance and result in valve sticking. If any of the conditions are present or hesitation is observed, the service instruction recommended inspection and cleaning of the valves.

There was no maintenance record found that this service instruction, or that a cleaning of the valves, had been performed. 

History of Flight

Initial climb
Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail (Defining event)

Loss of lift
Autorotation

Hard landing
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 48, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/25/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/20/2017
Flight Time: 700 hours (Total, all aircraft), 244 hours (Total, this make and model), 631 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 115 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 39 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: None
Age: 26, Male
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 37 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1 hours (Total, this make and model), 37 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: SCHWEIZER
Registration: N3947C
Model/Series: 269C 1
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 0343
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/27/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2297 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: HIO-360-G1A
Registered Owner: HELOCRAFT HOLDING CO INC.
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Pelican Flight Training LLC.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFLL, 65 ft msl
Observation Time: 1653 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 189°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2700 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 21°C
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 6000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots, 30°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:  FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (DT1)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: HOLLYWOOD, FL (HWO)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1655 EST
Type of Airspace: Class C

Airport Information

Airport: DOWNTOWN FORT LAUDERDALE (DT1)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 114 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 26.120556, -80.140000 (est)

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