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NTSB Report
August 11, 1988 · Bell 206B · N49727
Sturgis, SD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Sturgis, SD
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N49727
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA180
THE PLT WAS ON A FLT WITH 2 PAX TO TAKE PICTURES. HE STATED THAT 'WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 120 MPH AND 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, A PITCH OVER WAS INITIATED FOR PICTURE TAKING. AT THAT MOMENT, IT APPEARED THAT THE FUEL FLOW CAVITATED. THE FORWARD FUEL PUMP WAS DETERMINED TO BE INOPERATIVE JUST BEFORE THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN, BY THE WARNING LIGHT AND THE AUDIO ENGINE WARNING HORN. A FULL SAFE AUTOROTATION WAS PERFORMED TO TOUCHDOWN IN A FIELD, 1/4 MILE FROM WHERE THE ENGINE QUIT. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER ROCKED FORWARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM.' A POST-ACDNT INSPN VERIFIED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS INOP.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS ON A FLT WITH 2 PAX TO TAKE PICTURES. HE STATED THAT 'WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 120 MPH AND 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, A PITCH OVER WAS INITIATED FOR PICTURE TAKING. AT THAT MOMENT, IT APPEARED THAT THE FUEL FLOW CAVITATED. THE FORWARD FUEL PUMP WAS DETERMINED TO BE INOPERATIVE JUST BEFORE THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN, BY THE WARNING LIGHT AND THE AUDIO ENGINE WARNING HORN. A FULL SAFE AUTOROTATION WAS PERFORMED TO TOUCHDOWN IN A FIELD, 1/4 MILE FROM WHERE THE ENGINE QUIT. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER ROCKED FORWARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM.' A POST-ACDNT INSPN VERIFIED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS INOP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN49727
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourcePILO