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NTSB Report
October 14, 1987 · Bell 206L · N16736
Trenton, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Trenton, NJ
Aircraft
Bell 206L
Tail Number
N16736
Operator
Allison Gas Turbine Division
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC88DHD01
THE PILOT AND TWO MECHANICS WERE ON A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT, OPERATING AT ABOUT 300 TO 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THEY HAD STARTED TO TRACK THE ROTOR BLADES AT 130 TO 140 MPH WHEN THEY FELT A SUDDEN LEFT YAW, AND THE 'ENGINE OUT' LIGHT AND AUDIO CAME ON. THE PILOT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION INTO AN OPEN FIELD. WHEN THE TAILSKIDS TOUCHED DOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE ENGINE WAS RUN-UP SATISFACTORILY. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DISASSEMBLED AND INSPECTED; THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF CONTAMINATION OR OBSTRUCTION/BLOCKAGE. INVESTIGATORS DRAINED 10 GALLONS OF FUEL FROM THE HELICOPTER'S FUEL TANKS, INCLUDING ONE GALLON OF 'UNUSEABLE' FUEL. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THIS IS CONSIDERED A LOW LEVEL OF FUEL AND THE PILOT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLANNING TO LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICAL.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT'S POOR AIRCRAFT HANDLING DURING THE AUTOROTATION.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT AND TWO MECHANICS WERE ON A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT, OPERATING AT ABOUT 300 TO 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THEY HAD STARTED TO TRACK THE ROTOR BLADES AT 130 TO 140 MPH WHEN THEY FELT A SUDDEN LEFT YAW, AND THE 'ENGINE OUT' LIGHT AND AUDIO CAME ON. THE PILOT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION INTO AN OPEN FIELD. WHEN THE TAILSKIDS TOUCHED DOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE ENGINE WAS RUN-UP SATISFACTORILY. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DISASSEMBLED AND INSPECTED; THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF CONTAMINATION OR OBSTRUCTION/BLOCKAGE. INVESTIGATORS DRAINED 10 GALLONS OF FUEL FROM THE HELICOPTER'S FUEL TANKS, INCLUDING ONE GALLON OF 'UNUSEABLE' FUEL. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THIS IS CONSIDERED A LOW LEVEL OF FUEL AND THE PILOT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLANNING TO LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICAL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L
Tail NumberN16736
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAllison Gas Turbine Division
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C2U R/2 · Turboshaft · 500
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO