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NTSB Report
April 25, 1986 · Bell 206-L-3 · N71FW
Miami Shores, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Miami Shores, FL
Aircraft
Bell 206-L-3
Tail Number
N71FW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA133
THE PLT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED GENERATOR FAILURE UPON DEPARTURE FROM KEY WEST & ELECTED TO CONTINUE HIS FLT TO OPA-LOCKA, FL, MAKING TWO STOPS ENROUTE. HE NOTED THAT HIS BATTERY WAS DEAD AFTER PASSING OCEAN REEF, LANDED AT WATSON ISLAND & THEN TOOK OFF ENROUTE TO OPA LOCKA WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER, AUTOROTATED TO A SEAWALL, LANDED HARD, COLLAPSED THE SKIDS & THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE ENG WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACFT & PLACED IN A TEST CELL WHERE IT WAS RUN WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FORWARD FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE WAS LOOSE ALLOWING AIR TO BE SUCKED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING THE POWER LOSS EXPERIENCED BY THE PLT. THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES SECTION OF THE BELL 206 L-3 FLIGHT MANUAL STATES IF EITHER OF THE BOOST PUMPS FAIL OR THE GENERATOR FAILS YOU ARE TO LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICAL.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED GENERATOR FAILURE UPON DEPARTURE FROM KEY WEST & ELECTED TO CONTINUE HIS FLT TO OPA-LOCKA, FL, MAKING TWO STOPS ENROUTE. HE NOTED THAT HIS BATTERY WAS DEAD AFTER PASSING OCEAN REEF, LANDED AT WATSON ISLAND & THEN TOOK OFF ENROUTE TO OPA LOCKA WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER, AUTOROTATED TO A SEAWALL, LANDED HARD, COLLAPSED THE SKIDS & THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE ENG WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACFT & PLACED IN A TEST CELL WHERE IT WAS RUN WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FORWARD FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE WAS LOOSE ALLOWING AIR TO BE SUCKED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING THE POWER LOSS EXPERIENCED BY THE PLT. THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES SECTION OF THE BELL 206 L-3 FLIGHT MANUAL STATES IF EITHER OF THE BOOST PUMPS FAIL OR THE GENERATOR FAILS YOU ARE TO LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICAL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:50 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206-L-3
Tail NumberN71FW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind90° @ 7 kt, gusting 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50