DFW05CA149 On June 8, 2005, approximately 0630 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N2761X, registered to American Helicopters of Angleton, Texas, and operated by Omni Energy Services of Carencrow, Louisiana, was substantially damaged during a forced autorotative landing into swampy terrain following a loss of engine power during initial climb after take off from a company helipad near Mouton Cove, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and a company flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand domestic air taxi flight. The flight was destined for an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico.
The 6,020-hour pilot reported that while on initial takeoff climb, when the helicopter was climbing through approximately 150 to 200 feet above the ground, with the engine operating at 80 to 85% torque, he heard the engine make "popping noises" and the nose of the helicopter yawed to the left. The engine immediately lost power associated with rapid decay of N1 and rotor rpm. Subsequently, the pilot executed an autorotation to a swampy area adjacent to a tree line. The pilot and passengers exited the helicopter after the landing with no injuries.
Examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector revealed that the main rotor blade(s) had contacted and severed the tail boom during the flare and touchdown phase of the autorotaion. Further examination of the Rolls-Royce 250-C30P engine revealed evidence of foreign object ingestion. Remnants and the smell of an amphibian were present in the engine bleed manifold port and intake, and impact evidence was noted on the compressor front support. The operator reported that the helicopter had remained overnight at the remote helibase the night prior to the flight, which was the first of the day for the helicopter. The operator further stated that there had been reports in the past about ingestion of "green frogs" which are common to that region of the state.
Title: Re: Frog Strikes
Post by: Chopper Doc on April 23, 2009, 12:26:59 AM
I'm not sure where to go with this one, G-Man. I mean, the most obvious would be that the froggies have it in for American (maybe still angry about that whole "freedom fries" thing), but I'm leaning towards a rather more insidious threat. I mean, how often do you operate at an AGL low enough to ingest amphibians? Based on that unlikely flight profile, I postulate that the little buggers are out to get us: they are lurking in the weeds like little VC, looking for an opportunity to slip unnoticed under a cowl where they wait for a critical flight phase to throw themselves into our turbines. Yup, they're like little jihadi's, ready to go to frog heaven and 72 virgins if they can only take down that chopper.
Careful in the deadman's curve, boys, that's frog country.
Title: Re: Frog Strikes
Post by: G-man on April 23, 2009, 01:05:09 AM
Yup, they're like little jihadi's, and 72 virgins if they can only take down that chopper. Careful in the deadman's curve, boys, that's frog country.
72 not a nice round number---I heard it was 57 virgins..
Proof positive that the Koran was written by committee--- who in their right mind would come up with these numbers. ::whistle:: ::whistle::
Unless of course they were ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking::
Title: Re: Frog Strikes
Post by: Fabo on April 24, 2009, 03:27:08 PM
What? Not! It is as round as it gets, half a dozen dozens! Can ya think of anything roundier? ::silly::
Title: Re: Frog Strikes
Post by: Ragwing on April 25, 2009, 04:14:22 AM
Chopper Doc, Try 71 Virgins.
Personally, I would avoid them. (http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww109/JimmieMathis/71Virgins.jpg)
Title: Re: Frog Strikes
Post by: AirScorp on April 26, 2009, 10:12:29 PM
Or, in Ahmed the dead terrorist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uwOL4rB-go) style: "If that's Paradise, I've been sc#$%d!"
(link's to the whole video, the virgins' joke starts at 4:30)
Title: Re: Frog Strikes
Post by: BrianGMFS on April 27, 2009, 12:40:52 PM
