# Accident 20060501005999A: Bell 206B, Vinita, OK, May 1, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 1, 2006, 20:00 local time
- Place: Vinita, OK
- Airport: Vinita Municipal Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr Off Vert Land/Autorotate
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.6331° N, 95.1514° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6331&lon=-95.1514&mi=10
- Aircraft: N342WC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N342WC-2007-11-26) (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: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 164 total, 80 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DFW06CA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA112) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060501005999A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON MAY 01, 2006, AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 HRS CST, A BELL 206B, PILOTED BY AN APPROPRIATELY RATED PRIVATE PILOT, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE HELICOPTER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AUTOROTATE, THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP INVERTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROXIMATELY 7 STATUE MILES FROM THE VINITA, OK AIRPORT WHEN THE FUEL BOOST PUMP CAUTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO FUEL AT THE FUEL NOZZLE OR IN THE EXTERNAL FUEL FILTER. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A FUEL SPILL ON THE GROUND.

## 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 DFW06CA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA112), May 2, 2006: Bell 206B (N342WC), Vinita, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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.

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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