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NTSB Report
March 23, 1986 · Bell 206B · N49643
Huntington Bch, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 23, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Huntington Bch, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N49643
Operator
Aspen Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA155
A BELL 206B COLLIDED WITH A BERM AFTER AN ENG FAILURE WHILE DEPARTING A HELIPAD. THE PLT INDICATED HE HAD JUST DEPARTED THE HELIPAD AT NIGHT AND AT APRX 50 FT AGL THE ENG FAILED. THE ACFT VERTICAL FIN HIT THE BERM CAUSING THE TAIL BOOM TO BEND AFT OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR. THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE ACFT ROTATED 90 DEG AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGED. A TEAR DOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENG WAS CONDUCTED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF MATERIAL FAILURE OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS FUEL FOUND IN THE FUEL CONTROL AND FUEL PUMP. EXAM OF THE FUEL PUMP FILTER AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL FILTER REVEALED NO CONTAMINANTS OR WATER IN THE SYSTEM. THE FUEL PUMP, GOVERNOR, AND FUEL CONTROL WERE EXAMINED AND BENCH TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS. ALL THREE COMPONENTS MET MANUFACTURERS PERFORMANCE CRITERIA.
Full Narrative
A BELL 206B COLLIDED WITH A BERM AFTER AN ENG FAILURE WHILE DEPARTING A HELIPAD. THE PLT INDICATED HE HAD JUST DEPARTED THE HELIPAD AT NIGHT AND AT APRX 50 FT AGL THE ENG FAILED. THE ACFT VERTICAL FIN HIT THE BERM CAUSING THE TAIL BOOM TO BEND AFT OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR. THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE ACFT ROTATED 90 DEG AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGED. A TEAR DOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENG WAS CONDUCTED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF MATERIAL FAILURE OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS FUEL FOUND IN THE FUEL CONTROL AND FUEL PUMP. EXAM OF THE FUEL PUMP FILTER AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL FILTER REVEALED NO CONTAMINANTS OR WATER IN THE SYSTEM. THE FUEL PUMP, GOVERNOR, AND FUEL CONTROL WERE EXAMINED AND BENCH TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS. ALL THREE COMPONENTS MET MANUFACTURERS PERFORMANCE CRITERIA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 PST
Nearest AirportHeliport Aminoil Usa Inc. (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN49643
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAspen Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250 C-20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind290° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter0
Observation Time02:55
Weather SourceWFAC