N6912B

On December 23, 2006, at 1245 Pacific standard time, a Belcher Helicycle, N6912B, an amateur-built experimental helicopter, landed hard following a loss of engine power while in a hover at 6 feet above ground level (agl) at the Boulder City, Nevada, airport. The helicopter was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom, vertical stabilizer, and skids and skid attach points. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local area personal flight that originated at Jean, Nevada, at 1210, destined for Boulder City.

The pilot said the helicopter was equipped with a Solar T62-32, a 150-horsepower turbo shaft engine. The engine was originally developed for a military application and the manufacturer has since introduced it for sale to amateur builders. The pilot reported that he was in a hover 6 feet above the taxiway when the engine lost power. He attempted a hovering autorotation; however, the helicopter landed hard. He examined the engine and related systems. He said the loss of power was due to a fractured and separated solid fuel line that went from the fuel manifold to one of the injectors. He stated that the crack was near a joint in the line and appeared to be from fatigue.