Helicopter Safety | Engine Events

Visit the General Aviation Safety Council Website

Engine Events

Details+/-

Includes..

Engines don't just cause accidents when they fail, many incidents are caused by engine related events, such as stoppage due to carburettor icing, fuel starvation or even fuel exhaustion.

In a single engine helicopter engine stoppage will result in the need to enter autorotation at altitude and usually in an engine off landing (if the engine cannot be restarted in flight).

Videos+/-

206 Engine Failure From Inside.
Accident Report here
Accident aircraft photo

A 333 Suffers engine failure at night.
Accident Report here.

An A119 (Koala) hits a hospital helipad hard, accident report implies misrigging ot throttle.

An EMS BK-117 suffers a hard landing after apparent engine failure.

Bell 47 Suffers engine failure at low level.
Accident Report here.

Publications+/-

Fuel Handling Handbook

US Dept. of Interior Aviation Fuel Handling Handbook.

Ice Blocked

A CASA article on Carburettor Icing which includes a Carb Icing Probability Chart

Carb Icing Probability Chart

The NEW CASA Carb Icing Probability Chart

Power Curve and Single Engine Flight in Twin Engine Helicopters

Flight Safety Foundation Article which focusses on the Power Curve and Single Engine Flight in Twin Engine Helicopters, with particular emphasis on airspeeds and their importance.

AIC 145/1997

AIC 145 / 1997 UK CAAs AIC on Induction system icing in piston engined aeroplances, helicopters and airships.

Links To Accident Reports In Study+/-

Registration	Type	Date	Fatal
G-TTHC	R22	14 Feb 2009	Fatal
Crashed during solo training sortie, Sandtoft UK. Only Left magneto switched on, Left magneto failed in flight, RRPM decayed and main rotor struck tailboom.
G-BZYE	R22	22 Sep 2008
Aborted take off, Aircraft damaged on landing. Aircraft oversped on previous day and subsequently flown and released by pilots for flight to maintenance base.
G-CDTK	H269	12 Sep 2007
Engine stopped on approach to base and autorotation landing carried out. Substantial damage. Serious injuries to two POB. Subject to Irish AAIU investigation.
G-BUJZ	Exec	27 Jun 2007
Insufficient engine power available during autorotation training. Rotor hit crop & a/c tipped onto nose. Substantial damage, no injuries. Subject to AAIB AARF investigation.
G-OLIZ	R22	30 Oct 2006
During initial climb engine began to splutter and low rpm warning sounded. A/c struck trees during forced landing. Substantial damage. Minor injury to one POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-JESI	AS350	23 Sep 2006
Eurocopter AS 350, G-JESI, Dunkerrin Co. Offaly, 23 Sep 2006:
G-VVWW	280	20 Jul 2006
Airframe vibration followed by low RPM warning and engine power loss. MAYDAY declared. Forced landing on playing field. AAIB Field investigation.
G-ORRR	H369	09 May 2006
Engine ran down and aircraft crashed during attempted forced landing. Aircraft destroyed. No injury to 1 POB. Subject to AAIB Field investigation.
G-HEPY	R44	04 Feb 2006
Engine stopped in flight due to water in the fuel. A/c sustained minor damage during forced landing. No injuries to 3 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-LINC	H369	02 Jan 2006
Engine flameout on final approach due to low fuel state. A/c entered autorotation. Main rotor struck tail boom on landing. Substantial damage. No injury to 2 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-OGOB	H269	04 Sep 2005
Helicopter failed to respond to collective input. Rate of descent increased rapidly during precautionary landing. A/c landed heavily and rolled over. 2 POB - 1 minor injury. AAIB Field investigation.
G-CVIP	B206	16 Jul 2005
Intermittent engine out warning followed by lower rotor rpm warning. Main rotor struck tail pylon during autorotation. Substantial damage. No injuries to 4 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-MHCK	280	21 May 2005
Loss of power on lift off, together with smoke from LH engine cowling and air intake. Exhaust pipe from turbocharger found detached. No injury to 2 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-BAAU	F28	15 Dec 2004
Following engine problem, while looking for field, a/c entered spin & crashed on soft ground. Substantial damage. Minor injury to 1 POB. AAIB Field investigation.
G-TGRR	R22	11 Nov 2004	Fatal
Helicopter crashed in deteriorating weather. 1 POB fatal. AAIB Field investigation.
G-BYTD	R22	13 Oct 2004
After levelling from an en route descent, the aircraft began to yaw left and right. Forced landing carried out, during which the aircraft was destroyed. Minor injury to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation. Supected Carb Ice.
G-TASS	H269	10 May 2004
Tail rotor struck ground following engine failure. Aircraft crashed on hillside, rolled over and was destroyed. Serious injuries to 2 POB. AAIB Field investigation.
G-OPDM	280	07 Jun 2003
Forced landing on beach due to engine power loss at low level. Substantial damage. 2 POB, 1 minor injury. Investigation by Irish AAIU.
G-NIOL	R44	10 Apr 2003
UK Reportable Accident: Aircraft crash landed following stall at 1200ft agl. Substantial damage. Minor injury to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-NUDE	R44	27 Jan 2003
The helicopter ditched in the sea off Antartica following an engine failure. Both crew members evacuated into a life raft and were rescued. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-URUH	R44	19 Oct 2002
Aircraft rolled over during autorotative landing following loss of power due to lack of fuel. Serious injury to 1 POB. AAIB Field investigation.
G-BBHM	S61	15 Jul 2002
Burning smell followed by nr2 then nr1 engine fire warning. Forced landing. Aircraft destroyed by fire. No injury to 4 POB. AAIB Formal investigation.
G-BXLI	B206	22 Apr 2002
Engine Failure, Succesful Landing at Battersea, Bleed Valve Failed Closed.
G-DPPH	A109	25 Dec 2001
Engine failure due to fuel starvation associated with booster pump failure. Substantial damage during forced landing. 3 POB - 2 minor injuries. AAIB Field investigation.
G-BXSL	SCOUT	19 Nov 2001
Aircraft overturned during forced landing following partial engine failure. Substantial damage. No injury to 2 POB. AAIB Field investigation.
G-BSLV	280	24 Oct 2001
Engine power loss accompanied by reduction in manifold pressure. Forced landing. No injury to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-BNUZ	R22	02 Dec 2000	Fatal
Main rotor blades struck canopy following apparent loss of engine power. Aircraft fell to the ground and was destroyed. Both occupants killed.
G-BWOV	F28	04 Nov 2000
Uncontained engine failure. MAYDAY transmitted and autorotation carried out into field without further damage or injury.
G-SIVA	H369	21 Aug 2000
Engine failure. Mayday call. Aircraft crashed during forced landing and was destroyed. 2 POB seriously injured.
G-BYHD	R22	12 Aug 2000
Following low rotor RPM warning, a/c entered autorotation from approx 500ft, bounced off left skid and landed heavily. Substantial damage. No injury to 2 POB.
G-UZEL	Gazelle	13 Feb 2000
Autorotation/forced landing following fuel starvation. Damage to 2 rotor blades and 3 vertical stabilisers. Returned to base. No injuries to 4 POB.
G-DEJL	R22	19 Apr 1999
Engine lost power during hover-taxy. A/c landed on slope, rotor blade struck ground & a/c rolled over. No injury to 2 POB.
G-CAMB	AS355	06 Apr 1999
Uncontained RH engine failure. Substantial damage. No injury to 3 POB.
G-OCBB	B206	09 Nov 1998
Bell 206B Jetranger III, G-OCBB, 9 November 1998 at 1550 hrs, Engine Failure During Training. Caused by previous overtemp.
G-BSIE	280	21 Sep 1998
Right skid dug in on landing & a/c rolled onto its side. Substantial damage. No injury to 1 POB.
G-OTYA	R22	12 Jun 1998
Engine failure. Mayday call. A/c entered autorotation & made forced landing in field. Substantial damage. No injury.
G-OSEE	R22	17 May 1998
Forced landing in field due engine failure. No injuries to 1 POB.
G-DRAI	R22	06 Feb 1998
Gust of wind caused hover-taxying a/c to sink to ground. Rotor blade struck tail boom. No injury to 2 POB.
G-OBTW	B206	16 Mar 1997	Fatal
After taking off in poor weather, a/c was observed to manoeuvre erratically before crashing in a ploughed field. 1 POB fatal.
G-BOEY	R22	16 Jan 1997	Fatal
A/c crashed during night time circuit training exercise following loss of engine power. Sole occupant killed.
G-UKLM	S76	09 Jan 1997
Sikorsky S76B, G-UKLM. Spurious Engine Fire Warning, Precautionary Landing on Rig.
Total Found	41
Total Fatal	5

A Graph of These Accidents By Model+/-

Count Of Model

Fatal Accidents


280	5
	0
A109	1
	0
AS350	1
	0
AS355	1
	0
B206	4
	1
Exec	1
	0
F28	2
	0
Gazelle	1
	0
H269	3
	0
H369	3
	0
R22	12
	4
R44	4
	0
S61	1
	0
S76	1
	0
SCOUT	1
	0

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Source Data