Narrative:

Following aircraft refueling; crew and aircraft were heading back to home base. Approximately 12 minutes into the flight leg; the aircraft's 'eng chip' caution warning panel light illuminated. I immediately checked my engine instruments (all were within normal operating range) and reversed course to return to a large open field we had just flown over. I then notified departure control and my medical crew of the situation and my intentions to turn the aircraft around. Departure authorized my course reversal. Upon arrival at the open field I informed departure and the medical crew of my landing intentions and began an expedited descent to begin my approach to land. At this stage; all of the aircraft's instruments were still within operating limits and there were no warning lights [other than] the 'eng chip' light. At approximately 200 ft AGL we heard a loud bang; that seemed to have come from the engine area; and experienced a sharp left yaw in the aircraft. Upon hearing the bang and feeling the aircraft yaw; I immediately entered an auto-rotational profile toward the open field; as I fully expected the engine to quit running. It was then that I also noticed a strong 'burning' smell. At approximately 65 ft AGL I began a flare to retard my airspeed and my flight paramedic informed me that 'we are on fire'. I terminated my expedited approach to the ground and immediately executed on-board aircraft fire procedures by shutting both aircraft fuel levers and motoring the starter with the 'crank' button; although I never got a 'fire' light on the caution warning panel. In the meantime; the flight paramedic had deplaned with the aircraft's fire extinguisher and was standing on the port side of the aircraft ready to fight the fire. I advised him not to use the extinguisher until we were sure of the location of the flames. Fortunately there were no flames and the smoke coming from the aircraft's exhaust was starting to dissipate. The base mechanic; lead mechanic; dispatch center and ATC were all notified of the successful emergency landing without injury or aircraft damage. The base medical manager arrived at the scene to pick up the medical crew and transport them back to base. I remained with the aircraft and the base mechanic arrived at the scene. The mechanic and I stayed on scene to inspect and secure the aircraft and [later] departed for base. Arrangements were made by the base mechanic to load the helicopter on a flatbed truck and transport back to base.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An AS350 medical helicopter pilot reported noticing a chip light had illuminated after takeoff. He turned around to return to departure airport and landed while the engine situation deteriorated.

Narrative: Following aircraft refueling; crew and aircraft were heading back to home base. Approximately 12 minutes into the flight leg; the aircraft's 'Eng Chip' caution warning panel light illuminated. I immediately checked my engine instruments (all were within normal operating range) and reversed course to return to a large open field we had just flown over. I then notified Departure Control and my medical crew of the situation and my intentions to turn the aircraft around. Departure authorized my course reversal. Upon arrival at the open field I informed Departure and the medical crew of my landing intentions and began an expedited descent to begin my approach to land. At this stage; all of the aircraft's instruments were still within operating limits and there were no warning lights [other than] the 'Eng Chip' light. At approximately 200 FT AGL we heard a loud bang; that seemed to have come from the engine area; and experienced a sharp left yaw in the aircraft. Upon hearing the bang and feeling the aircraft yaw; I immediately entered an auto-rotational profile toward the open field; as I fully expected the engine to quit running. It was then that I also noticed a strong 'burning' smell. At approximately 65 FT AGL I began a flare to retard my airspeed and my Flight Paramedic informed me that 'We are on fire'. I terminated my expedited approach to the ground and immediately executed on-board aircraft fire procedures by shutting both aircraft fuel levers and motoring the starter with the 'Crank' button; although I never got a 'Fire' light on the caution warning panel. In the meantime; the Flight Paramedic had deplaned with the aircraft's fire extinguisher and was standing on the port side of the aircraft ready to fight the fire. I advised him not to use the extinguisher until we were sure of the location of the flames. Fortunately there were no flames and the smoke coming from the aircraft's exhaust was starting to dissipate. The Base Mechanic; Lead Mechanic; Dispatch Center and ATC were all notified of the successful emergency landing without injury or aircraft damage. The Base Medical Manager arrived at the scene to pick up the medical crew and transport them back to base. I remained with the aircraft and the Base Mechanic arrived at the scene. The Mechanic and I stayed on scene to inspect and secure the aircraft and [later] departed for base. Arrangements were made by the Base Mechanic to load the helicopter on a flatbed truck and transport back to base.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.