LAX84FA106

Factual narrative

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) STATED THAT THE ENG QUIT 2 TIMES AFTER HE REFUELED THE HELICOPTER. HE THEN DRAINED A QUANTITY OF WATER FROM THE FUEL GASCOLATOR & RESTARTED THE HELICOPTER. AFTER THAT HE AIR TAXIED THE HELICOPTER TO THE FLT SCHOOL WHERE, WITHOUT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENG, HIS STUDENT BOARDED. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THEY WERE CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 300 FT AGL. THE CFI EXECUTED A 180 DEG TURN & AUTOROTATED TO AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A FLAT ROOFED BUILDING. DURING THE LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE TAIL BOOM & THE FRONT CROSS TUBE OF THE LANDING GEAR WAS BENT. DURING AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER, ABOUT 1/2 GAL OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE SYS & ABOUT 8 OUNCES OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL TRUCK WAS CHECKED & NO EVIDENCE OF WATER WAS FOUND. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12