Primary finding
Probable cause
engine fire for reasons undetermined.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, he had just performed an uneventful landing in his pasture and was allowing the engine to cool down before shutting it down. The pilot reported that one minute into the cool down, he reduced the throttle to seventeen hundred rpm. He felt heat on his back and turned around to see fire coming from the engine. As the pilot was attempting to egress from the helicopter, he fell backwards, grabbed the cyclic stick with the engine still running, and pulled it to the left side as he slid out. The helicopter was entirely consumed by fire. Due to the extent of the damage, the origin of the fire could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he had just performed an uneventful landing in his pasture and was allowing the engine to cool down before shutting it down. The pilot reported that one minute into the cool down, he reduced the throttle to seventeen hundred rpm. He felt "heat on [his] back" and turned around to see "fire coming from [the] engine." As the pilot was attempting to egress from the helicopter, he "fell backwards, grabbed the cyclic stick with [the] engine still running, and pulled it to the left side as [he] slid out." The helicopter was entirely consumed by fire. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter. Due to the extent of the damage, the origin of the fire could not be determined.