Dec 23, 1998
Accident
Destroyed QUINCY, CA
Injuries1 fatal
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 133
Probable Cause
An inaccurate exhaust gas temperature gauge, that allowed the engine to be run over-temperature unknowingly by the pilot, which resulted in the subsequent failure of the turbine sections. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM during the autorotation. A factor in the accident was the operator's failure to adequately perform engine health indicator tests.
NTSB LAX99FA057