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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 27, 1994 · Bell 206L-3 · N206SF

Ruston, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 27, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ruston, LA
Aircraft
Bell 206L-3
Tail Number
N206SF
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA032

THIS WAS THE THIRD PRACTICE AUTOROTATION WITH POWER RECOVERY INITIATED AT 1,000 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. AT 100 FT, AND WITH AN AIRSPEED OF 70 KTS, THE FLARE WAS STARTED. THE PILOT DID NOT NOTICE A TORQUE CHANGE OR YAW, AND LATER STATED HE TOOK THIS AS EVIDENCE 'THAT THE ENGINE HAD QUIT.' TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE AT A HIGHER THAN DESIRED FORWARD SPEED. ONE BLADE CONTACTED THE RIGHT VERTICAL STABILIZER, AND THE TAIL BOOM COLLAPSED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HELICOPTER. THE ENGINE WAS LATER EXAMINED, AND ALL CHECKS INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMAL.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE HELICOPTER AFTER AN APPARENT LOSS OF POWER DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION.

Full Narrative

On October 27, 1994, at 1115 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-3, N206SF, was substantially damaged during autorotation near Ruston, Louisiana. The helicopter, flown by an airline transport rated pilot, was on a personal flight that had originated in Meridian, Mississippi. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The solo pilot was uninjured. According to the pilot, he had just completed two practice autorotations, recovering with power each time. The third autorotation was entered at 1,000 feet above the ground and the flare initiated about 100 feet above the ground at 70 knots. The pilot added power; however, he did not notice torgue change or yaw. He took this as evidence of a loss of power. Due to low rotor rpm, pitch pull was delayed and touchdown was at a "higher than desired forward speed." During the landing slide a main rotor blade contacted the right vertical stabilizer, collapsing the tail boom to the right side of the helicopter. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector (statement enclosed) examined the engine. "All checks indicated the engine was functioning normal."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CDT
Nearest AirportRUSTON (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length5000 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-3
Tail NumberN206SF
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data