# NTSB ATL05CA003: Bell 206 B, N300HT, Eutaw, AL, October 14, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2004, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Eutaw, AL - Coordinates: 33.033332, -87.933334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0333&lon=-87.9333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60346 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60346/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA003 ## Probable cause The pilots inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The helicopter was conducting a spraying operation in a wooded area in Eutaw, Alabama. The helicopter was refueling for 10-15 minute flights. After the helicopter refueled it departed the staging area, and did not return after 20 minutes. An aerial and ground search was initiated, and the downed helicopter was located approximately three hours after the initial search. Fueling records are not documented by the operator. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident. Examination of the accident site revealed the helicopter lying on its left side. Further examination of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blades were broken off of the main rotor head, and the fuselage was buckled. During the preparation for a functional check of the engine, fuel was poured into the main fuel tank. After pouring about one gallon fuel into the main tank, an undetermined small amount of jet fuel leaked out of the bottom of the fuel tank. An external source of jet fuel was attached to the engine fuel system and the engine was started and, a functional engine run was accomplished up to 65% power for five minutes. Both the oil and engine temperature instruments were in the normal operating range during the engine run. No mechanical anomalies were found during the engine run. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 2004, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a Bell 206B, N300HT, registered to and operated by Woodland Specialist Inc. collided with trees during an aerial application flight in Eutaw, Alabama. The aerial application flight was flown by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed the staging area in Eutaw, Alabama on October 14, 2004 at 0941. According to the staging crew, the helicopter was conducting a spraying operation in a wooded area in Eutaw, Alabama. The helicopter was refueling for 10-15 minute flights. The fueling trucks actually have no counter so the pilot has to instruct the ground crew to fuel per his fuel gauge in the helicopter. The pilot watches the gauge and then gives a hand signal to stop the fueling. After the helicopter was refueled, it departed the staging area, and did not return after 20 minutes. An aerial and ground search was initiated, and the downed helicopter was located approximately three hours after the initial search. Fueling records are not documented by the operator. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident. Examination of the accident site revealed the helicopter was lying on its left side. The helicopter was recovered and relocated to Griffin, Georgia for further examination. Further examination of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blades were broken off of the main rotor head, and the fuselage was buckled. During the preparation for a functional check of the engine fuel was poured into the main fuel tank. After pouring about one gallon fuel into the main tank, an undetermined small amount of jet fuel leaked out of the bottom of the fuel tank. An external source of jet fuel was attached to the engine fuel system and the engine was started and, a functional engine run was accomplished up to 65% power for five minutes. Both the oil and engine temperature instruments were in the normal operating range during the engine run. No mechanical anomalies were found during the engine run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N300HT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300HT-2013-08-12), registration cancelled 2013-08-12, S/N 2083, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206 B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 317HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-317hp) (registry code 03011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2083 - Airframe hours: 9984 - Engines: Allison 250 C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Woodlands Specialists Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 21, 2004 - Departed: Eutaw, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 9, 2004; flight hours: 31,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KTCL, 27 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20041014028189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041014028189A), Oct 14, 2004: Bell 206B, Eutaw, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 14, 2004, approximately 10:00 a.m. central daylight time, a Bell 206B, N300HT, collided with trees during an aerial application flight in… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.