# NTSB ATL89FA200: Bell 206B, N117V, Fruithurst, AL, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Fruithurst, AL
- Coordinates: 33.729125, -85.43016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7291&lon=-85.4302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA200

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MAIN ROTOR RPM WHILE EXECUTING AN AUTOROTATION WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW AUTOROTATION PROCEDURES AFTER THE REPORTED ENGINE FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - holding(ifr)
  - powerplant - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE PATROLLING UTILITY LINES AT 700 FEET AGL. HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATIVE GLIDE TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD TO AVOID TREES CLOSE TO THE GROUND, AT WHICH TIME MAIN ROTOR RPM DECAYED. THE PILOT COULD NOT LEVEL THE HELICOPTER BEFORE THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE ENGINE AND ATTACHED COMPONENTS WERE EXAMINED, AND NO MATERIAL OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WAS DETECTED. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER WAS CAPABLE OF AUTOROTATING NORMALLY. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DECAY BELOW A POINT WHERE HE COULD NOT RECOVER WITHOUT THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINING DAMAGE. THIS WAS THE SECOND ACCIDENT WHERE THIS PILOT WAS INVOLVED AS PILOT IN COMMAND AND AUTOROTATIVE PROCEDURES WERE IN QUESTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N117V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1453
- Airframe hours: 5662
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid-State Executive Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 11, 1989, 32 hours before
- Departed: TUSCALOOSA, AL
- Destination: ANNISTON, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,960 total, 787 in this make and model, 5,862 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890819033749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819033749A), Aug 19, 1989: Bell 206B, Fruithurst, AL, Substantial damage. Engine out and horn on cable line patrol. Rotor slow. Ground impact on autorotation. Chopped tail.

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.

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