NTSB Factual Report

On August 11, 2014, about 1130 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Hughes 269C Helicopter, N7432F, impacted terrain following a partial loss of engine power near Darrington, Washington. The airline transport pilot was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Snohomish Flying Service (SFS) was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The local personal flight departed Snohomish, Washington, about 0815. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that during a flight in the rented helicopter he was descending out of 5,000 ft. As he approached 4,000 ft, he increased collective and noticed that the engine was slowing down; he was unable to recover the engine rpm to a normal range. The helicopter continued to descend until the pilot entered an autorotation. The helicopter impacted a tree about 30 ft high and then came to rest in a small stream.

The pilot stated he did not believe the engine ever quit, but the engine would not produce enough power to continue flight.

The helicopter was recovered on August 12, 2014, by SFS and examined by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors with assistance from SFS personnel. They found that the throttle mount bracket was hanging by the throttle cable linkage and was not secured to the servo mount studs as it should have been. This would prevent the loss of throttle movement for acceleration.

The operator stated that the engine had just been installed into the helicopter 10 flight hours prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Maintenance personnel’s failure to secure the throttle mount bracket during a recent engine installation, which resulted in the loss of throttle movement and an inability to control engine power.