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NTSB Report
July 7, 1989 · Bell 206B · N53W
Longview, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Longview, WA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N53W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA128
THIS HELIOCPTER HAD JUST DEPLETED THE FUEL IN AN EXTERNAL BURNING UNIT AND WAS RETURNING TO A STAGING AREA WHEN THE HELICOPTER ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD TURNED OFF THE EXTERNAL UNIT JUST BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE OPERATOR HAD LOCATED THE EXTERNAL UNIT CONTROL SWITCH ABOUT THREE INCHES ABOVE THE MAIN FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE EXTERNAL SWITCH WAS FOUND 'ON' AND THE MAIN FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH WAS FOUND 'OFF'.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE FUEL SUPPLY INSTEAD OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD FUEL SUPPLY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO JETTISON THE EXTERNAL LOAD DURING THE AUTOROTATION.
Full Narrative
THIS HELIOCPTER HAD JUST DEPLETED THE FUEL IN AN EXTERNAL BURNING UNIT AND WAS RETURNING TO A STAGING AREA WHEN THE HELICOPTER ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD TURNED OFF THE EXTERNAL UNIT JUST BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE OPERATOR HAD LOCATED THE EXTERNAL UNIT CONTROL SWITCH ABOUT THREE INCHES ABOVE THE MAIN FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE EXTERNAL SWITCH WAS FOUND 'ON' AND THE MAIN FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH WAS FOUND 'OFF'.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN53W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO