Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Muddy Gap, Wyoming 52301
Monday, May 29, 2006 18:15 MDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

According to the pilot, he was approaching his ranch for landing. He stated that he lifted up on the collective to add power but no power was present. The horn and low rotor lights were immediately activated. The pilot stated that he lowered the collective and lowered the nose of the helicopter to gain some forward speed. The pilot stated that he elected to keep forward speed to the ground to maintain some control during the impact. The helicopter impacted sagebrush and sloping terrain. It slid for a distance and came to rest on its right side resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine and remaining systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

the loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude and rough uneven terrain.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 5/29/2006
Event Day of the Week Monday
Time of Event 1815
Event Time Zone Mountain Daylight Time
Event City Muddy Gap
Event State WYOMING
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 52301
Event Date Year 2006
Event Date Month 5
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 422201N
Event Location Longitude 1073305W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1753 Mountain Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 160
Weather Observation Facility ID RWL
Elevation of weather observation facility 6500
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 41
Time Zone of the weather observation MDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 15
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -14
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 250
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 11
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.17
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 20956
NTSB Notification Source FAA-Northwest Mountain Region
NTSB Notification Date May 30 2006 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Feb 26 2007 11:14AM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\lema
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Casper Flight Standards Field Office

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N16JD
NTSB Number DEN06LA080
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Garlick Helicopters Inc
Aircraft Model OH- 58C
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 71-20435
Certified Max Gross Weight 2500
Aircraft Category Helicopter
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Jan 1 2006 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 96.4
Airframe Hours 5599.4
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Hover LLC.
Aircraft Owner Street Address PO Box 517
Aircraft Owner City Eaton
Aircraft Owner State CO
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 80615
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Aerial Observation
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code --
Departure City Split Rock Ranc
Departure State WY
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1700
Departure Time Zone MDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country --
Specific Phase of Flight Emergency landing
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 14 2006 11:48AM
User who most recently changed record BOWL
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location NA
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --