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Craig Municipal Airport, Jacksonville, Florida (CRG/KCRG)
Destination airport:
Arthur Dunn Airpark, Titusville, Florida (FAA LID: X21)
Investigating agency:
NTSB
Confidence Rating:
Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative: The two certificated rotor craft pilots were conducting a ferry flight. According to both pilots, the helicopter was on approach to land for a refuelling stop when the airline transport pilot flying asked the private pilot to apply carburettor heat. The private pilot inadvertently pulled-out the engine mixture control with the mixture control guard, which resulted in an immediate total loss of engine power.
The helicopter was at an altitude between 300 to 400 feet, when the airline transport pilot entered an auto rotation, while the private pilot attempted to restart the engine. The engine did not restart before the helicopter struck trees, a fence, and then nosed over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and both the main and tail rotor drive systems. Both pilots reported there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight.
Probable Cause: The private pilot's incorrect manipulation of the engine mixture control which resulted in an inadvertent engine shutdown.