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NTSB Report

March 25, 1994 · Bell 206L · N16705

Orlando, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (4 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Orlando, FL
Aircraft
Bell 206L
Tail Number
N16705
Operator
Falcon Helicopter Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA94LA100

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, USING WATER/ALCOHOL INJECTION, THE PILOT NOTED THE N2 TURBINE SPEED INDICATION WENT TO THE TOP OF THE GAUGE. HE ROLLED OFF THROTTLE TO REDUCE THE N2 GAUGE READING; AT THE SAME TIME, HE LOOKED FOR A PLACE TO LAND. THE PILOT BELIEVED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR AN AUTOROTATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD & CAME TO REST WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. A POSTACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE AIRFRAME, FLIGHT CONTROLS, OR FUEL SYSTEM. TESTING OF THE WATER/ALCOHOL SOLUTION REVEALED 66.5% METHANOL & 33.5% WATER. SPECIFICATIONS REQUIRED 33.5% METHANOL & 66.5% WATER, BUT ALLISON ENGINE PERSONNEL SAID THE HIGH LEVEL OF METHANOL WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. DURING A POSTACCIDENT TEST, THE ENGINE OPERATED TO FULL POWER WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. TESTING OF THE ENGINE INSTRUMENTS REVEALED THE N2 GAUGE WAS PROVIDING A FAULTY INDICATION. THE OTHER ENGINE INSTRUMENTS OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CROSS-CHECK A FAULTY ENGINE SPEED INDICATION WITH OTHER ENGINE PERFORMANCE INDICATIONS TO VERIFY WHETHER AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION HAD ACTUALLY OCCURRED, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PILOT'S REACTION TO THE PERCEIVED ENGINE MALFUNCTION LED TO AN UNNECESSARY REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY LANDING.

Full Narrative

On March 25, 1994, about 1242 eastern standard time, a Bell 206L, N16705, registered to Universal Air Service of Florida, Inc., crashed while making an off-heliport landing at Orlando, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Four passengers received serious injuries. One passenger was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that shortly after departure he activated the water-alcohol injection system and noticed an increase in engine performance and a reduction in turbine out temperature (TOT). A short time later he noticed that the N2 turbine speed was slightly above red line and rapidly swung to near the upper limit of the gauge. He reduced the throttle slowly to attempt to manually override the N2 overspeed, picked out a landing area, and began an approach to the landing area. He rolled the throttle to the idle detent, with no effect on the N2 overspeed and the engine quit shortly after this. He did not have enough altitude and airspeed to enter autorotation and the helicopter descended and touched down hard. Witnesses observed the helicopter flying from east to west at about 300 feet. The helicopter was making a high pitched squeal and was descending. The helicopter appeared to lose power and then crash in a construction area. Examination of the helicopter by FAA inspectors after the accident indicated that there was no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight control systems, or airframe fuel system. A usable amount of uncontaminated fuel was found in the airframe and engine fuel systems. A water- alcohol solution was found in the water injection tank. After the accident the engine was removed from the aircraft and mounted in a engine test cell. The engine was started and operated to full power with no evidence to indicate precrash failure or malfunction. After the test run, the engine fuel control, governor, fuel pump, and bleed valve were removed from the engine and tested on a test bench. Each of the units operated normally. After the accident the N1, NR, N2, and TOT gauges and signal generators were removed from the aircraft for testing. The N1 gauge and generator, TOT gauge, and NR gauge operated within limits. The N2 gauge was found to read 10 to 15 percent low in the range above 90 percent. The N2 generator operated normally. See attached Bell Helicopter report. Laboratory testing of fuel and water-alcohol samples obtained from the helicopter after the accident was performed by Panair Laboratory, Inc., Miami, Florida. The fuel sample met specifications for aviation turbine fuel and no contamination of the fuel sample was reported. The water-alcohol sample was found to be a mixture of 66.5 percent methanol and 33.5 percent water. See attached laboratory report. Bell Helicopter and Allison Engine specifications require that water-alcohol fluid be mixed 33.5 percent methanol and 66.5 percent water. Allison engine personnel stated that the high level of methanol which was found in the accident helicopter would not have effected engine performance, for the engine controls would have countered any effect. See attached Allison Engine report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:42 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L
Tail NumberN16705
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFalcon Helicopter Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary6 injuries (4 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total7
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data