P.J. Helicopters, Inc.

Operated by PJ HELICOPTERS INC (per NTSB report)

The pilot's failure to adequately secure cargo (a jacket), which resulted in the jacket exiting the cabin compartment and colliding with the tail rotor during cruise flight.

Operated by PJ Helicopters (per NTSB report)

A total loss of engine power while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident severity was the operation of the helicopter within a portion of the height-velocity regime unfavorable for autorotation.

Part: OIL COOLER — UNKNOWN

DURING A ROUTINE 150 HOUR INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COMPOSITE PANEL BELOW THE OIL COOLER BLOWER, AS WELL AS AN AIRFRAME LONGERON AND STRINGER BELOW THE PANEL EXHIBITED STRUCTUAL CRACKING. THE DEFECT OCCURRED DURING UTILITY FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS UNDER NORMAL FLIGHT PARAMETERS SOMETIME WITHIN THE LAST 150 FLIGHT HOURS. NO ABNORMAL VIBRATIONS OR ANOMALIES WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT PRIOR TO DISCOVERY OF THE ISSUE. THE PROBABLE CAUSE IS EITHER AN IMBALACE IN THE OIL COOLER BLOWER OR A FAILED TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT BEARING.

Part: ELT — MALFUNCTIONED (CABIN)

ELT WOULD ACTIVATE ON ITS OWN, RETURNED TO MANUFACTURE. REPLACED G SWITCH, RECERTIFY AND FOUND TO BE OK.

Part: ELT — CRACKED (CABIN)

INSPECTING ELT, FOUND CASE TO BE IN MANY PIECES WITH CRACKS THROUGHOUT ENTIRE UNIT. PLASTIC SEEMS TO BE VERY SOFT AND BRITTLE. THIS IS SECOND ELT OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAS BEEN FOUND IN THIS CONDITION DURING TESTING FOR NON OPERATION.

Part: MOUNT — CRACKED (TAIL BOOM)

CRACK FOUND UNDER TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AT AFT, RIGHT, MOUNT HOLE. CRACK WAS NOT SEEN UNTIL GEARBOX WAS REMOVED TO PERFORM ASBCRACK WAS ONE INCH LONG, GOING FOR AND AFT THRU HOLE.

Part: TRANSFER PUMP — INOPERATIVE (TIP TANK)

SUBMITTER STATED THIS MODEL NUMBERED TRANSFER PUMP IS CONSISTENTLY FAILING AT 300 HOURS OR LESS CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR PILOTS AND INCREASED MAINTENANCE. INSTALLED ON 5-22-00. FAILED ON 6-3-00. (X)

Part: TRANSFER PUMP — INOPERATIVE (TIP TANK)

SUBMITTER STATED THIS MODEL NUMBERED TRANSFER PUMP IS CONSISTENTLY FAILING AT 300 HOURS OR LESS CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR PILOTS. INSTALLED ON 4-5-00. FAILED ON 5-24-00. (X)

Part: FUEL NOZZLE — FAILED (ENGINE)

DURING EXTERNAL LOAD OPS, ENGINE RPM WENT TO APPROXIMATELY 60 PERCENT N2. LOAD WAS DROPPED AND RPM CAME BACK TO 95 PERCENT. AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILES TO LZ, BUT WOULD NOT HOLD RPM TO HOVER. FOUND FILTER IN FUEL NOZZLE COLLAPSED.