NTSB Factual Report

On April 7, 2005, approximately 1815 mountain daylight time, a Bell OH-58C, N198PD, operated by the City of Colorado Springs Police Department, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 10 miles north of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local public use flight was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial certificated pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The local flight originated approximately 1800.

According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was orbiting over a college campus when the "engine out light illuminated" in the cockpit. This light was followed by an "audible engine out alarm" and the "N1 gauge dropped." The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing west of Interstate 25 on Air Force Academy property. The pilot stated that the terrain sloped uphill and the helicopter stopped "abruptly" and rock back and forth. Approximately 30 inches aft from the boom attach point, the boom buckled, leaving a wrinkle approximately 9 inches in length and approximately 2 inches at its deepest point.

A postaccident examination revealed that the N1 tachometer generator had failed. Further examination revealed that the N1 tachometer generator wire was not connected to the cannon plug and frayed. Examination of the helicopter's remaining systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the N1 tachometer generator which resulted in a precautionary landing. Contributing factors include the frayed wire and the unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing.