N989WCS N I A S AS-350B ECUREUIL

On July 1, 2013, about 1100 mountain daylight time, an S.N.I.A.S. (Eurocopter) AS-350B, N989WC, landed hard following a loss of engine power near Hamilton, Montana. The helicopter was registered to Hat Creek Helicopters LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. The local flight departed Ravalli County Airport, Hamilton, about 20 minutes prior, with a planned destination of Riddick Field Airport, Philipsburg, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company VFR flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that during cruise flight, about 20 minutes after departure, and at an altitude of 7,200 feet msl, the helicopter suddenly began to yaw. The low rpm horn then sounded and he glanced at the engine instruments, which indicated the engine speed had reduced to ground idle. He lowered the collective and initiated a 180-degree autorotation into a small clearing in wooded terrain 1,000 feet below. During the landing sequence the tailboom partially separated from the aft bulkhead, and the lower fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The helicopter, manufactured in 1985, was equipped with a Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine, serial number 857. Maintenance records indicated that the engine was originally manufactured in 1985, and had accrued a total of 9,921.5 flight hours as of January 28, 2013. The most recent inspection was a 150-hour Airframe/Engine Inspection, and was completed on April 30, 2013. At that time the airframe had accumulated a total of 9,999.8 hours, with a total of 10,058.5 hours at the time of the accident.

The helicopter, manufactured in 1985, was equipped with a Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine, serial number 857. Maintenance records indicated that the engine was originally manufactured in 1985, and had accrued a total of 9,921.5 flight hours as of January 28, 2013. The most recent inspection was a 150-hour Airframe/Engine Inspection, and was completed on April 30, 2013. At that time the airframe had accumulated a total of 9,999.8 hours, with a total of 10,058.5 hours at the time of the accident.

Engine Examination

Examination of the engine revealed that the pneumatic control pipe (P2) which delivered air pressure from the centrifugal compressor to the Fuel Control Unit (FCU) had separated at the FCU fitting.

According to Turbomeca engine maintenance documentation, P2 pressure is utilized within the fuel control unit as a means (via the acceleration controller) to regulate fuel flow into the engine. A loss of pressure will result in the reduction of fuel delivered to the engine, and its subsequent deceleration to idle.

P2 Pipe Examination

The pipe was removed from the engine and sent to the Turbomeca Accident Investigation Laboratory in France for metallurgical evaluation.

The pipe (part number 0 301 02 766 0) was comprised of Z2CN18-10 (AISI 304L) stainless steel, with a wall thickness of 0.5 mm. Examination revealed that the pipe had separated just above the intersection of the flare and the pipe wall. The separation surface was examined utilizing scanning electron microscopy, and frontal lines in the shape of crescents could be seen emanating from an incipient area on the outer diameter of the pipe. Examination of the pipe's outer surface revealed buffeting marks in the area of the union sleeve edge, consistent with union sleeve contact.

A geometric inspection of the pipe was performed after it was mounted in a pipe reference fixture. The pipe exhibited deformation at the FCU end, such that it had displaced about 50 mm from the FCU inlet location.

Maintenance Instructions

Turbomeca had released multiple service letters and maintenance instructions documenting the installation, evaluation, and replacement of air system pipes.

Turbomeca Service Letter 1131/86/ARL/98, issued May 1986, documented the rupture of a P2 pipe encountered on an engine which had over 4,000 hours of operating time. The letter recommended that all engines with operating times of 2,500 or more hours undergo a dye-penetrant, deformation, and clearance inspection.

Subsequently, in October 1986, Turbomeca issued an internal "Change Advice" notice 37616, documenting the replacement of the 0.5mm wall thickness P2 pipe, with a pipe of 0.8mm thickness to improve, "mechanical strength" and to "facilitate maintenance".

Service Letter No. 2188/02/ARRIEL1/68, issued June 2002, continued to describe further incidents of P2 pipe rupture, and reminded maintenance personnel of the importance of periodical inspections of pipes and unions, the use of correct torque when tightening union components, and the consequences of not utilizing pipe supports correctly. The letter further stated, "No stressing of pipes. Too great a stress can lead to cracks, or even rupture of the pipe, which can lead to leaks."

Service Letter 1807/98/ARRIEL1/40, issued October 2003, described further incidents regarding the engine air system, and reminded maintenance personnel of the importance of maintaining proper torque of system unions, and the consequences of both a lack of proper pipe support, as well as component distortion as a result of mishandling. The letter also made recommendation that the 0.8mm pipe be installed.