N342WC

Substantial
None

Bell 206BS/N: 1523

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
NTSB Number
DFW06CA112
Location
Vinita, OK
Event ID
20060516X00582
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
4
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper pre-flight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N342WC
Make
BELL
Serial Number
1523
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1974
Model / ICAO
206BB06
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SUMMIT AVIATION LLC
Address
1217 E 48TH ST
Status
Deregistered
City
TULSA
State / Zip Code
OK 74105-4701
Country
United States

Analysis

The 164-hour private pilot reported that when the single-engine turbine powered helicopter was seven miles from the airport, the fuel boost pump caution light illuminated and the fuel gauge was indicating approximately 15 gallons of fuel remaining. The pilot elected to continued to fly toward the airport; however, while on final approach the engine lost power. The pilot entered an autorotation, but due to his low altitude, he realized the descent angle would have placed the helicopter onto a busy four-lane highway. The pilot added that he increased the collective, which increased altitude, and he was able to cross over the highway and a fence; however, this maneuver reduced inertia in the main rotor system. As a result, the pilot flared over a wet, grassy field about 30 feet, leveled the helicopter and landed with some forward speed. During touchdown, the skids dug into the ground and the helicopter came to an abrupt stop, toppled over, and came to rest upside down. The tail boom separated and came to rest about 20 feet from the fuselage. Examination of the helicopter revealed there was no fuel in the fuel nozzle or in the external fuel filter. There was no indication of a fuel spill during the mishap sequence.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW06CA112