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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 27, 1994 · Bell 206B · N2779B

Belen, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 27, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Belen, NM
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N2779B
Operator
Aero West Management Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA110

THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200 - 400 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION TO A FLAT DESERT AREA, FREE OF OBSTACLES. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME AND DYNAMIC COMPONENTS. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE P3 LINE WAS LEAKING.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE HARD LANDING DUE TO A DELAYED FLARE AND IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Full Narrative

On March 27, 1994, at 1420 mountain standard time, a Bell 206B, N2779B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Belen, New Mexico. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator report that he was in cruise flight at 200-400 feet above ground level when the engine "started to spool down." He further stated that he "entered autorotation and had a hard landing." An evaluation of the terrain available for the forced landing revealed that it was flat desert free of obstacles. An inspection of the helicopter revealed that during the hard landing control linkages failed, the left skid tip was severed, skid cross tube assembly penetrated the fuselage in the underside area, engine oil pan was penetrated, and the tail boom was severed by the main rotor blades, resulting in damage to both rotor blades. The aircraft came to rest in the upright position. An examination of the engine assembly revealed that the P3 line, associated with the fuel system, was leaking. The manufacturer reported that this condition would result in a loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN2779B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAero West Management Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 450
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 25 kt, gusting 31 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 21 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data