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January 20, 2011 · Bell 206 L3 · ZK-ISF

Northland, New Zealand, NZ

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Northland, New Zealand, NZ
Aircraft
Bell 206 L3
Tail Number
ZK-ISF
Operator
Finlayson Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ENG11WA015

On January 20, 2011, about 12:15 local time, the a Bell 206L3 registered ZK-ISF, ditched into the ocean off the north coast of Auckland, New Zealand. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported that during straight and level flight at about 1000 feet MSL, he experienced a loss of engine power and crashed into the water. The rotorcraft was submerged in about 50 feet of water. The rotorcraft was retrieved and examined by the New Zealand TAIC authority. The engine was torn down and examined in New Zealand. The fuel pump, FCU and power turbine governor were removed and sent to Rolls Royce in the USA. Rolls Royce then sent the units to the Honeywell facilities in South Bend, Indiana for teardown and examination. The investigation is being conducted by the New Zealand Accident Investigation Commission. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: NEW ZEALAND The Chief Executive Officer Transport Accident Investigation Commission 11 Cigna House 40 Mercer Street P.O. Box 10-323 Wellington 6143 New Zealand Tel.: (64) 4-473-0199 (24 hours) (64) 4-473-3112 E-mail: inquiries@taic.org.nz Fax: (64) 4-499-1510 AFTN: NZHOYAYX Cable: CIVAIR NZ Website: http://www.taic.org.nz

Full Narrative

On January 20, 2011, about 12:15 local time, the a Bell 206L3 registered ZK-ISF, ditched into the ocean off the north coast of Auckland, New Zealand. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported that during straight and level flight at about 1000 feet MSL, he experienced a loss of engine power and crashed into the water. The rotorcraft was submerged in about 50 feet of water. The rotorcraft was retrieved and examined by the New Zealand TAIC authority. The engine was torn down and examined in New Zealand. The fuel pump, FCU and power turbine governor were removed and sent to Rolls Royce in the USA. Rolls Royce then sent the units to the Honeywell facilities in South Bend, Indiana for teardown and examination. The investigation is being conducted by the New Zealand Accident Investigation Commission. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: NEW ZEALAND The Chief Executive Officer Transport Accident Investigation Commission 11 Cigna House 40 Mercer Street P.O. Box 10-323 Wellington 6143 New Zealand Tel.: (64) 4-473-0199 (24 hours) (64) 4-473-3112 E-mail: inquiries@taic.org.nz Fax: (64) 4-499-1510 AFTN: NZHOYAYX Cable: CIVAIR NZ Website: http://www.taic.org.nz

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206 L3
Tail NumberZK-ISF
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFinlayson Helicopters
Operating RulePart 129
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250 · Turboshaft

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1

Conditions

WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data