Aerospatiale AS355E crash near Farmington, UT, United States

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn July 19, 2023, about 0830 mountain daylight time, an Aerospatiale, AS-355E, N102UM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Farmington, Utah. The pilot and four passengers were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The flight was planned to transport a vegetation removal crew to power distribution lines in the Francis Peak area, within the Wasatch Mountain Range. The pilot initially departed from the helicopters base in Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD) Ogden, Utah, about 0800 and flew directly to the staging area in the foothills of the peak. Upon landing, he briefed the crew, and the flight departed. During the climb-out to the work area, the pilot observed that the main rotor speed was beginning to decay. As he maneuvered for landing, he noticed that the engine speed and temperature readings were not appropriately matched between the engines, with the No. 2 engine showing an 8-10% reduction in torque. He performed a series of engine adjustments using the trim system, maneuvered away from the power lines near the landing area, and increased the helicopter speed; the main rotor speed returned to normal. He began the landing approach again; however, as the helicopter came to within about 20 to 30 ft of the landing zone (elevation 8,600 ft), the main rotor speed again began to decay such that the pilot knew it would be insufficient for landing. He turned the helicopter away from the landing zone to maintain clearance from the mountain. The helicopter then began to descend, and the main rotor blades started to cut through the surrounding trees. The helicopter landed on its belly and rolled over. The pilot and crew egressed through the left door. The engines were still operating after the accident, and the pilot shut them down and secured the electrical system. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe helicopter was manufactured in 1981. It was powered by two Rolls-Royce/Allison 250 C20F turboshaft engines. Both were mounted at the top of the fuselage to the rear of the main transmission gearbox. The engines were controlled mechanically through a cable-driven collective anticipator system. The system allowed for engine power balance adjustment using an electro-mechanical “engine trim” assembly, controlled by the pilot with a rocker switch on the collective lever grip. The system was comprised of a series of mixing bellcranks mounted to the main transmission deck and it allowed the pilot to adjust engine governor balance through an electric motor controlled by the rocker switch. The system was differential in design, such that if the pilot commanded an increase in power on one engine, it would reduce engine power on the other. The helicopter’s flight manual stated that under normal flight conditions, the trim system is used to synchronize the engines during takeoff, climb, and hover, and that it is also used to increase power to each engine during power check operations. There are no specific instructions to use the trim system during a loss of engine power event; however, the emergency procedures section stated: “The procedures outlined in this section deal with the common types of emergencies; however, the actions taken in each actual emergency must relate to the complete situation.” The emergency procedures section, along with the height-velocity diagram, indicated that the helicopter can be flown safely after a single-engine failure during takeoff at altitudes of up to 7,000 ft and a weight at or below 4,740 lbs. The helicopter’s maximum permissible weight (ambient conditions dependent) was 5,291 lbs, and according to the operator its weight at the time of the accident was 4,963 lbs. Maintenance The compressor section of engine No. 2 had been replaced 12.1 flight hours before the accident,. Both the pilot and maintenance personnel stated that in the days following the replacement they encountered difficulty synchronizing the engines. The pilot described the problems as intermittent, and while troubleshooting they performed a series of trim adjustments and test flights and were eventually able to match the engines to within the manufacturer’s power specifications. During troubleshooting, the pilot noted that the bleed valve was approaching its overhaul time, but because the other engine was operating correctly, they decided to leave it in place. Both the pilot and maintenance personnel reported that following the compressor change and up to the accident flight, the engine was making a loud “howling” sound. The sound could not be heard within the cabin due to ambient noise but was very pronounced from outside during both ground and flight operations. They reported that it did not appear to be affecting engine performance. Although they had not heard the engine make this sound before, the mechanic put it down to a function of the newer overhauled compressor blades. They continued to fly multiple missions with the engine making the sound. AIRPORT INFORMATIONThe helicopter was manufactured in 1981. It was powered by two Rolls-Royce/Allison 250 C20F turboshaft engines. Both were mounted at the top of the fuselage to the rear of the main transmission gearbox. The engines were controlled mechanically through a cable-driven collective anticipator system. The system allowed for engine power balance adjustment using an electro-mechanical “engine trim” assembly, controlled by the pilot with a rocker switch on the collective lever grip. The system was comprised of a series of mixing bellcranks mounted to the main transmission deck and it allowed the pilot to adjust engine governor balance through an electric motor controlled by the rocker switch. The system was differential in design, such that if the pilot commanded an increase in power on one engine, it would reduce engine power on the other. The helicopter’s flight manual stated that under normal flight conditions, the trim system is used to synchronize the engines during takeoff, climb, and hover, and that it is also used to increase power to each engine during power check operations. There are no specific instructions to use the trim system during a loss of engine power event; however, the emergency procedures section stated: “The procedures outlined in this section deal with the common types of emergencies; however, the actions taken in each actual emergency must relate to the complete situation.” The emergency procedures section, along with the height-velocity diagram, indicated that the helicopter can be flown safely after a single-engine failure during takeoff at altitudes of up to 7,000 ft and a weight at or below 4,740 lbs. The helicopter’s maximum permissible weight (ambient conditions dependent) was 5,291 lbs, and according to the operator its weight at the time of the accident was 4,963 lbs. Maintenance The compressor section of engine No. 2 had been replaced 12.1 flight hours before the accident,. Both the pilot and maintenance personnel stated that in the days following the replacement they encountered difficulty synchronizing the engines. The pilot described the problems as intermittent, and while troubleshooting they performed a series of trim adjustments and test flights and were eventually able to match the engines to within the manufacturer’s power specifications. During troubleshooting, the pilot noted that the bleed valve was approaching its overhaul time, but because the other engine was operating correctly, they decided to leave it in place. Both the pilot and maintenance personnel reported that following the compressor change and up to the accident flight, the engine was making a loud “howling” sound. The sound could not be heard within the cabin due to ambient noise but was very pronounced from outside during both ground and flight operations. They reported that it did not appear to be affecting engine performance. Although they had not heard the engine make thi