# NTSB CEN14LA390: Bell 206B, N240SJ, Bennet, NE, July 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2014, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Bennet, NE - Coordinates: 40.439998, -96.319999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4400&lon=-96.3200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA390 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89749/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89749 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA390 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to properly maintain the fuel storage tank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Resources: adequacy of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022025): Organizational issues › Management · Operator (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022025/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022025/cases.md) - [Documentation/record keeping: testing records](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04033020): Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring · Operator (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04033020/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04033020/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: fuel service/equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017065): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017065/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017065/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he refueled the helicopter from a stationary fuel tank that the operator had recently had filled. After sumping the helicopter's fuel tank and the airframe fuel filter and noting that the strained fuel was absent of debris and water, the pilot departed on the flight. About 12 to 15 minutes into the flight, the engine lost total power. The pilot made a low-altitude autorotation to a field, and the helicopter subsequently slid about 10 to 15 ft and struck a berm. No preaccident mechanical deficiencies were found that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. The pilot said that he thought the power loss was due to fuel contamination, so he sumped fuel from the helicopter and the storage tank, and the fuel from each source was dark brown with visible contaminants. Postaccident examination of a large sample of fuel drained from the storage fuel tank confirmed that the fuel was brown with visible contaminants. The tank's filter was also found to be contaminated, and sludge was observed in the bottom of the tank. Contaminated fuel was found in the helicopter's fuel tank and fuel filter bowl, and the fuel nozzle was covered with a hardened dark brown substance. Review of fueling records revealed that the fuel contractor had delivered a 1,000-gallon fuel storage tank labeled "diesel" to the fueling site and that the contractor placed 920 gallons of Jet A fuel in the tank 14 days later (5 days before the accident). It could not be determined what type of fuel was in the tank before it was filled with Jet A fuel. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2014, at 1430 central daylight time, N240SJ, a Bell 206B helicopter, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a soybean field after a total loss of engine power near Bennet, Nebraska. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private company. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local, aerial application flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137.In a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he had flown 4 uneventful hours that day and had to stop to refuel. He said the operator had just purchased fuel, which had been placed into a stationary fuel storage tank and this was the first time he was using fuel from that tank. The pilot pumped 25 gallons of fuel into the helicopter, then sumped the airframe fuel tank and fuel filter. The pilot said the strained fuel was absent of water and debris. He then departed. About 12-15 minutes into the flight, when the helicopter was about 16 feet above the ground, at an airspeed of 80 miles per hour (mph), the turbine-engine lost total power. The pilot made an autorotation to a soybean field and slid about 10-15 feet into a berm. Due to the rocking motion from hitting the berm, the main rotor blade severed the tail boom. The pilot said that he thought the engine "flame-out" was due to fuel contamination so he sumped the helicopter's airframe fuel filter and the stationary fuel storage tank after the accident. The drained fuel from both sources was dark brown with visible contaminates. A post accident examination of the helicopter and stationary fuel storage tank was conducted on August 5, 2014, by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Bell Helicopter and Rolls Royce. Examination of the stationary fuel storage tank's fueling receipt and company records revealed that on July 7, 2014, the operator's fuel contractor delivered a 1,000 gallon Flameshield tank to the remote fueling site. This tank was marked "Diesel" on the side. On July 21, 2014, the fuel contractor placed 920 gallons of Jet A fuel into the 1,000 gallon "Diesel" tank. The FAA drained a large fuel sample from the tank and it was dark brown in color with contaminates. The tank's filter was also contaminated and visible sludge was observed at the bottom of the tank. Contaminated fuel was also found in the helicopter's fuel tank and fuel filter bowl, and the fuel nozzle was covered with a hardened dark brown substance. There were no other pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies observed that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N240SJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N240SJ-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 2354, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2354 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 7216.4 - Engines: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Samaritan Air Inc - Registered owner: Samaritan Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2013 - Departed: Bennet, NE - Destination: Bennet, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2014; seat: right; flight hours: 4,500 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 20140726020539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140726020539A), Jul 26, 2014: Bell 206B, Lincoln, NE, Substantial damage. The aircraft was spraying at 16-18 feet AGL at a speed of approximately 80MPH. Sudden loss of power, autorotation, and landed on a nearby soy bean field.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89749. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424089&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Sapp Bros Fuel Receipt (item 3, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sapp%20Bros%20Fuel%20Receipt-Redacted.PDF - Sapp Bros Petroleum Letter (item 4, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sapp%20Bros%20Petroleum%20Letter-Redacted.PDF - Rolls Royce Engine Report (item 5, .PDF, 10 photos, 990 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Rolls%20Royce%20Engine%20Report-Master.PDF 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.