# NTSB DEN06CA006: Bell 206L-4, N206DB, Denver, CO, October 6, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 6, 2005, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.7, -105.019165
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7000&lon=-105.0192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62655
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62655/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA006

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper preflight planning and preparation resulting in him taking the helicopter into the air with insufficient fuel to accomplish the flight, and the subsequent fuel exhaustion leading to the hard landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Hard landing, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

The helicopter was en route to its home base when the pilot noted he would not have enough fuel to make it his destination.  He also determined he had gone too far to return to his origination airport.  The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing on a schoolyard baseball field.  Approximately 6 feet above the ground, the helicopter's engine lost power.  The pilot said he immediately attempted to make a landing.  The helicopter impacted the ground in a level attitude, bounced once, and came to a stop.  The pilot told local police that he'd ran out of fuel.  An examination of the helicopter showed the helicopter had sustained substantial damage to the tail boom.  An examination of the helicopter's systems revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N206DB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206L-4
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 52127
- Engines: Allison 250-C20 turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Logistics LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BJC, Broomfield, CO
- Destination: APA, Englewood, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

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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