Preliminary Reports
Pilot Unhurt After Swamp Landing
Bell 206, October 16, 2020, Zephyrhills, Florida – The pilot was uninjured in a precautionary autorotation into a swamp, but damage to his helicopter included separation of the tailboom and mid-span fractures of both main rotor blades.
Fifteen minutes after departing from Plant City on a personal flight to Jacksonville’s Craig Field, the pilot noticed a “binding sound” and felt a decrease in engine power and slight left yaw. Engine instruments remained in their normal ranges and no warning annunciators illuminated before the low rotor rpm warning horn sounded, at which he initiated the autorotation. The helicopter was subsequently recovered for examination.