# Accident 20030709033209A: Bell 206B, Chuathbaluk, AK, July 9, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 9, 2003, 17:50 local time
- Place: Chuathbaluk, AK
- Airport: Chuathbaluk Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: UP8A
- Location: 61.5817° N, 159.5431° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5817&lon=-159.5431&mi=10
- Aircraft: N111MT, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N111MT-2013-08-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206B (registry code 1181511, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,780 total, 300 in this make and model, 115 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC03LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA073) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030709033209A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON JULY 9, 2003, AT 5:50PM, AMERICAN HELICOPTERS, INC, PILOT RICHARD K. THIELMAN EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE ENROUTE FROM SLEETMUTE, AK TO ANIAK, AK. UPON ENTERING AN AUTO ROTATION, THE PILOT SELECTED A LANDING SITE, MADE A MAYDAY ON 122.1 AND WAS IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED TO BY HIS FIXED WING PILOT CARRYING HIS CREW. HE GAVE HIS POSITION AND INFORMED THEM HE HAD AN ENGINE FAILURE. AT CONTACT WITH THE FIRST TREE, THE PILOT FLARED HARD, HIT HARD AND BOUNCED. THE TAIL BOOM SLAPPED HIM TO THE GROUND WHERE THE AIRCRAFT STAYED UPRIGHT. NO INJURIES, NO PASSENGERS, NO FIRE AND NO FLUIDS WERE PRESENT. AIRCRAFT HAD 42 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD AT TIME OF ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC03LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA073), Jul 10, 2003: Bell 206B (N111MT), Aniak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The compressor discharge pressure line (Pc line) B-nut coming loose at the fuel control unit, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees during an…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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