Immediate Action Emergency Actions
NOTE
The urgency of certain emergencies requires immediate and instinctive actions by the pilot. The most important single consideration is helicopter control. All procedures are subordinate to this requirement. If time permits during a critical emergency, transmit MAYDAY call, set transponder to emergency, turn the ELT ON, and lock the shoulder harness.
Land as soon as possible
Land without delay to the nearest suitable area (i.e. open field) in which a safe approach and landing is reasonably assured. (The primary consideration is to ensure the survival of the occupants.
Land as soon as practicable
The landing site and duration of the flight are at the discretion of the pilot. Extended flight beyond the nearest approved landing area is not recommended. (The primary consideration is the urgency of the emergency.)
Define Autorotate
Adjusting the flight controls as necessary to establish an autorotational descent and landing.
“Autorotate”
Define Emergency shutdown
Engine shutdown without delay
“Emergency Shutdown”
Before turing the battery switch off, the pilot should consider?
Making a Mayday call, setting emergency on the transponder, and possible effects of total electrical failure.
AUTOROTATIONAL AIRSPEEDS: Airspeed for minimum rate of descent
52 KIAS
AUTOROTATIONAL AIRSPEEDS: Airspeed for maximum glide distance
69 KIAS
After Emergency Action
After a malfunction of equipment has occurred, appropriate emergency actions have been taken and the helicopter is on the ground, an entry shall be made on DA Form 2408-13-1 describing the malfunction. Ground and flight operations shall be discontinued until corrective action has been taken.
Emergency Equipment on board
a. Fire extinguisher - located on the center pedestal between the pilot and the co-pilots stations.
b. First aid kit is located in one of the pouches by the passenger seat.
c. Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT): See Chapter 2.
Emergency exit or entrance
Through either cabin or crew door. If the door(s) will not open, the windows should pop out if pressure is applied to the outer edges of the window. If the window will not pop out, kick out the plexiglass to exit the aircraft.
Partial or Complete Power Loss - WARNING
Do not respond to the RPM warning system by entering autorotation and reducing the throttle without first confirming engine malfunction by one or more of the other indications. Normal indications signify that the engine is functioning properly and that there is a tachometer generator failure or an open circuit to the warning system, rather than an actual engine malfunction.
Indications of an engine Malfunction (either partial or a complete power loss)
If the power loss is total, the ENGINE OUT warning light will activate and an intermittent (warbling) tone will be heard.
“Engine Failure at a hover”
“Engine Failure - Low Altitude/Airspeed or Cruise.”
“Engine Restart”
Engine Restart - CAUTION
Do not attempt air start above 12,000 feet MSL (TURB OUT TEMP rises too fast to control).
Engine Restart Considerations
After an engine failure in flight, an engine start may be attempted. Because the exact cause of engine failure cannot be determined in flight, the decision to attempt the start will depend on the altitude and time available, rate of desent, potential landing ares and crew assistance available. 52 to 60 KIAS is recommended during the descent. Under ideal conditions, approximately on minute is required to regain powered flight from the time the attempted start is begun. If the decision is made to attempt an in-flight start:
Engine Compressor Stall indications
“Engine Compressor Stall”
Engine Overspeed indications
“Engine Overspeed”
If RPM cannot be controlled by throttle adjustment.