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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 6, 2007 · Mcdonnell Douglas 600N · N451DL

Vicksburg, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 6, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Vicksburg, MS
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas 600N
Tail Number
N451DL
Operator
K-Tek Aircraft
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW07CA065

The helicopter landed hard following a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot was en route to refuel his single-engine turbo-shaft powered helicopter. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report (NTSB form 6120.1) that the aircraft was in cruise flight at an indicated airspeed of 115 knots while at 500 feet above ground level when the engine lost power without warning. The pilot added that following the loss of engine power, he immediately entered autorotation and landed on a logging road surrounded by tall trees. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the tailboom and main rotor blades during the forced landing. The helicopter came to rest in the upright position. A detailed investigation was conducted on the fuel system by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a representative from the helicopter manufacturer. Their investigation revealed that a fuel transfer check valve located in the aft section of the fuel tank that receives fuel from the forward section of the fuel tank, was found stuck in the closed position, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as result of a fuel transfer check valve stuck in the closed position. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

The 3,337-hour commercial helicopter pilot reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight while en route to refuel his single-engine turbo-shaft powered helicopter. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report (NTSB form 6120.1) that the aircraft was in cruise flight at an indicated airspeed of 115 knots while at 500 feet above ground level when the engine lost power without warning. The pilot added that following the loss of engine power, he immediately entered autorotation and landed to a logging road surrounded by tall trees. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the tailboom and main rotor blades during the forced landing. The helicopter came to rest in the upright position. The pilot and his passenger were not injured and were able to egress the helicopter unassisted. A detailed investigation was conducted on the fuel system by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a representative from the helicopter manufacturer. Their investigation revealed that a fuel transfer check valve located in the aft section of the fuel tank, which receives fuel from the forward section of the fuel tank, was found stuck in the closed position, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine. Weather at the time of the accident at the nearest weather reporting station located approximately 16 miles south of the site of the mishap was reported as clear skies, visibility 10 miles, winds at 210 degrees at 17 miles per hour, with a temperature of 17 degrees Centigrade.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CST
Nearest AirportVicksburg Municipal Airport (15nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas 600N
Tail NumberN451DL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorK-Tek Aircraft
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C47M · Turboshaft · 808
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.30 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data