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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 3, 1994 · Bell OH-13E · N39WL

Mountain View, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mountain View, AR
Aircraft
Bell OH-13E
Tail Number
N39WL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA221

A HELICOPTER WITH A 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTE RANGE DEPARTED WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL ON A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. A POWER LOSS OCCURRED SHORT OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, 65 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE. AN AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED TO A CLEARING IN A ROCK PIT. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DECAY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLEAR A FENCE ACROSS HIS TOUCHDOWN AREA. DURING LANDING, A MAIN ROTOR BLADE MADE CONTACT WITH THE TAILBOOM. DEBRIS WAS FOUND BLOCKING THE FUEL DRAIN VALVE FOR THE FUEL TANK IN THE OPEN POSITION, ALLOWING FUEL TO DRAIN WHILE EN ROUTE. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2,200 FEET.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FUEL EXHAUSTION AS RESULT OF A STRUCK FUEL DRAIN VALVE. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

On July 3, 1994, at 1050 central daylight time, a Bell OH-13E helicopter, N39WL, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Mountain View, Arkansas. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, the aircraft was in cruise flight at 1,650 feet MSL when the engine lost power. The pilot added that he established an autorotative descent to a gravel pit, and during the landing flare, he was forced to stretch the glide to clear a fence. One main rotor blade struck and severed the tailboom. Records indicate that the 29 gallon fuel tank in the helicopter was topped off with 16.1 gallons of 100LL AVGAS prior to departure from the North Little Rock Airport at 0945. The loss of power occurred after 65 minutes of flight had elapsed. The estimated fuel consumption rate for the helicopter is 16 gallons per hour. A post accident inspection of the helicopter revealed that the fuel tank was empty. According to the pilot, debris was found in the fuel drain valve for the fuel tank and the valve may have been stuck in the open position, thereby allowing the fuel to leak out while the helicopter was en route.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell OH-13E
Tail NumberN39WL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V-335-A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data