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NTSB Report
March 13, 1983 · Bell 206B · N90329
Escalon, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 13, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Escalon, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N90329
Operator
Thunderbird Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83FVD06
THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A SMALL TREE ABOUT 8 FT HIGH DURING A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE COLLISION BROKE THE TAIL BOOM AND A HARD LANDING CAUSED THE FAILURE OF A LANDING SKID AND DAMAGED THE MAIN ROTOR. THE PLT HAD TAKEN TWO FRIENDS FOR A NIGHT FLT AND AFTER A SHORT FLIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWED. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION THE FUEL IN THE ACFT WAS FOUND TO BE DIRTY. BECAUSE OF A FUEL BYPASS THAT PERMITSCONTINOUS FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE BYPASSING THE MAIN FUEL FILTER FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A CRITICAL FACTOR IN THIS INSTANCE.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A SMALL TREE ABOUT 8 FT HIGH DURING A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE COLLISION BROKE THE TAIL BOOM AND A HARD LANDING CAUSED THE FAILURE OF A LANDING SKID AND DAMAGED THE MAIN ROTOR. THE PLT HAD TAKEN TWO FRIENDS FOR A NIGHT FLT AND AFTER A SHORT FLIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWED. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION THE FUEL IN THE ACFT WAS FOUND TO BE DIRTY. BECAUSE OF A FUEL BYPASS THAT PERMITSCONTINOUS FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE BYPASSING THE MAIN FUEL FILTER FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A CRITICAL FACTOR IN THIS INSTANCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN90329
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThunderbird Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · C-20 · Turboshaft
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0