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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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October 16, 1988 · Bell 206L-1 · N555GC

Wallingford, CT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 1988
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (2 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Wallingford, CT
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N555GC
Operator
Wico Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89FA013

THE ACFT LOST POWER AND CRASHED IN A TRACTOR TRAILER PARKING LOT, DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN IMPROPER FUEL FLOW SWITCH, WHICH HAD NO CHECK VALVE PROTECTION INSTALLED ON SYSTEM NO 1. THE FAA CERTIFICATION BRANCH (ASW-170) STATED THAT IF THE WRONG FUEL FLOW SWITCH IS USED AND THE BOOST PUMP CIRCUIT BREAKERS ARE PULLED, A FLAMEOUT IS LIKELY. THE PILOT SAID HE PULLED THE MASTER CAUTION BREAKER AND MAY HAVE PULLED THE BOOST PUMP BREAKERS 'PREPARING FOR LANDING'. THE FUEL BOOST PUMP CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE PULLED AND THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 27 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT LOST POWER AND CRASHED IN A TRACTOR TRAILER PARKING LOT, DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN IMPROPER FUEL FLOW SWITCH, WHICH HAD NO CHECK VALVE PROTECTION INSTALLED ON SYSTEM NO 1. THE FAA CERTIFICATION BRANCH (ASW-170) STATED THAT IF THE WRONG FUEL FLOW SWITCH IS USED AND THE BOOST PUMP CIRCUIT BREAKERS ARE PULLED, A FLAMEOUT IS LIKELY. THE PILOT SAID HE PULLED THE MASTER CAUTION BREAKER AND MAY HAVE PULLED THE BOOST PUMP BREAKERS 'PREPARING FOR LANDING'. THE FUEL BOOST PUMP CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE PULLED AND THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 27 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:20 EDT
Nearest AirportMeriden Markham (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN555GC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWico Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 500
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (2 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 34 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data