# NTSB CEN19LA309: Bell 206, N19TV, Walkerton, IN, September 9, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 9, 2019, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Walkerton, IN - Coordinates: 41.505001, -86.515556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5050&lon=-86.5156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Rolls-Royce Engines, Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Bell Helicopters, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100216/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100216 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA309 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to fuel 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) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel pump](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis While performing an aerial application flight, the helicopter experienced a partial loss of engine power when the pilot advanced engine power to reverse course. The helicopter was substantially damaged during the forced landing when it contacted trees and landed hard. A postaccident examination of the helicopter’s engine found evidence of fuel contamination due to water and a non-ferrous material in the engine driven fuel pump/filter, fuel control unit, and fuel nozzle. The fuel control unit operated outside of acceptable limits during postaccident testing. The airframe was stored outside and subjected to the elements after the accident; however, the location of the water and debris in the engine were in areas where contamination from the elements cannot normally collect. It could not be determined when the contamination occurred or whether it originated within the company’s fuel truck tank or within the helicopter’s fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2019, about 1330 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N19TV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Walkerton, Indiana. The pilot received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as a Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot reported that he ferried the helicopter and landed on the company truck to refuel and add a pesticide mix to the helicopter’s hopper. The pilot departed from the truck and surveyed the field. He completed one pass and added power to reverse course when he heard the helicopter’s engine power decrease. In addition, the low rotor rpm light and horn activated. Due to multiple obstructions on the ground, a normal autorotation could not be performed. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to land, the skids and application spray nozzles contacted trees. The helicopter pitched nose down, the main rotor blades damaged the tailboom, and the helicopter landed hard. The helicopter was relocated to a secure facility for further examination where it was stored outside and exposed to the elements. Examination of the helicopter’s airframe did not detect any preimpact anomalies. The engine was removed, disassembled, and examined. Gray fibrous material was found trapped in the engine-driven fuel pump/filter. The outer portion of the filter was contaminated with black, non-ferrous, particulate matter and the inside contained a white greasy substance. Fluid did not transfer through the filter when it was removed from the housing. The fuel spray nozzle was fouled with a gray particulate matter. Disassembly of the fuel control unit (FCU) revealed the filter was fouled by gray particulate matter along with fibrous material. The FCU was reassembled and tested. Due to the presence of a significant amount of water, the FCU required flushing before testing. Testing of the FCU found that it operated outside of acceptable limits. A review of maintenance logbooks revealed that the helicopter was inspected on January 4, 2019, about 300 hours prior to the accident, using continued airworthiness inspection criteria. Since no evidence of contamination was documented during this inspection, it likely occurred after that date. It could not be determined if fuel contamination originated at the company fuel truck or within the helicopter fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19TV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19TV-2023-05-06), registration cancelled 2023-05-06, S/N 2716, built 1979 (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-C20J](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20j) (registry code 03088, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2716 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 17241.6 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20J 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Crosswind Aviation Services LLC - Registered owner: Abbett Farms Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 4, 2019, 302 hours before - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 15, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 3,958 total, 1,227 in this make and model, 3,835 as pilot in command, 408 in the last 90 days, 89 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KPPO, 11 nm away - METAR: METAR KPPO 091735Z AUTO 13008KT 10SM SCT047 23/17 A3020 RMK AO2 T02300172= ## 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 20190909012949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190909012949A), Sep 9, 2019: Bell 206B, Walkerton, IN, Destroyed. While spraying a field, the PIC was coming to the end of a pass. As he went to climb to clear a row of pine trees, the rotorcraft engine lost power. The ship… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100216. 20.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13601188&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN19LA309%20NTSB%20Form%206120%20filled_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Case findings (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13605323&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN19LA309%20Case%20Findings-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13603996&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N19TV%20mtx%20logs_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 4 photos, 942 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13611160&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%204-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 11.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13609085&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RR%20Party%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 500 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13618620&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=signed%20wreckage%20release_Redacted-Rel.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.