# NTSB CEN15LA423: Bell 206B, N648CA, Woodville, TX, September 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 24, 2015, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Woodville, TX - Coordinates: 30.788055, -94.656387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7881&lon=-94.6564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 21, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA, Rolls Royce - NTSB case key (mKey): 92057 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA423 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92057/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92057 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA423 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel tanks and the operator’s inadequate inspection of the fuel supply truck that did not detect water contamination. ## 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) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (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) - [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) - [Oversight: equipment monitoring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032025): Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring · Operator (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032025/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: 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) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the helicopter was filled with 80 gallons of herbicide and about 20 gallons of fuel before departure. He then departed from the support fuel truck and made a climbing right turn, during which the engine lost power. The pilot lowered the helicopter's nose in an attempt to regain rotor rpm; however, the helicopter did not have sufficient altitude to regain rotor rpm, and it subsequently impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed water contamination throughout the fuel system. Fuel samples taken from the support fuel truck also contained water contamination. The loss of engine power is consistent with water contamination in the fuel system. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 2015, about 1040 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N648CA, experienced a loss of engine power and made a forced landing to a field near Woodville, Texas. The commercial rated pilot, sole occupant, was seriously injured and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Chem-Air LLC, Shreveport, Louisiana, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated about 1035 from the company support truck. The operator reported that the pilot was conducting an aerial application flight over a heavily wooded area. He had been conducting aerial application operations since 0630. The helicopter was filled with 80 gallons of herbicide and about 20 gallons of fuel. After departure from the support truck the pilot made a climbing right turn when the helicopter's engine experienced a loss of power. The helicopter was above a group of tall pine trees, which the pilot was able to avoid and then he lowered the nose of the helicopter in attempt to regain rotor rpm. The pilot was unable to attain sufficient altitude to regain rotor rpm and the helicopter impacted terrain. During the forced landing, the helicopter came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom and rotor blades. On October 6, 3015, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, along with technical representatives from Bell Helicopter and Rolls Royce, examined the wreckage. Damage to the airframe, drive system, main rotor, tail rotor and flight controls was consistent with impact forces and no pre-impact anomalies were observed in any of the systems. There was no evidence of engine mechanical failure or malfunction. The engine and airframe were tested for water contamination in multiple locations. Water detecting paste, Kolor Kut, was used on the fluid samples. Water was found in the helicopter fuel tank, airframe fuel filter, engine fuel filter, and in the engine's fuel spray nozzle supply line. Water was also found in the lower right portion of the intact crash resistant fuel tank. The airframe fuel filter contained mostly orange/brown colored water (as confirmed by Kolor Kut) and a small amount of fuel. The fuel filter canister was full of fluid and the paper filter was relatively clean, but the bottom of canister contained dirt and particulates. The engine fuel filter mostly contained clear water with drops of fuel. The fuel spray nozzle supply line, which effectively traps and protects the fuel being fed to the engine, was loosened and the contents examined. The captured fluid smelled of jet fuel, but exhibited a division line which is typical of a fuel/water mixture. The division line indicated about a 1/3 fuel and 2/3 water ratio. The support fuel truck was tested for water contaminationat three locations. No water was found at the pump sump, the lowest part in the truck's fuel supply system. Water was observed in the fuel filter sump; the filter was removed and did not appear to be bulging from water absorption. Water was observed in the truck's fuel nozzle; the fuel sample was yellow in color. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N648CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N648CA), registered now, S/N 3626, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3626 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 15907.1 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 SER 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Chem-Air LLC - Registered owner: Chem-Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 18, 2015 - Departed: Woodville, TX - Destination: Woodville, TX - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2015; seat: right; flight hours: 13,490 total, 354 in the last 90 days, 121 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92057. 9.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Reports from Technical Advisor to the Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Technical%20Advisor%20to%20the%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 9 photos, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.