# NTSB DEN84LA124: Bell 206B, N5743H, Farmington, NM, April 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1984, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Farmington, NM
- Coordinates: 36.749145, -108.180122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7491&lon=-108.1801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - fumes
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Other gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING, THERE WAS A HEAVY SMELL OF FUEL. AT APRX 150 FT AGL ON A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, THE ENG QUIT. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED HARD, COLLAPSING THE SKIDS, & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SHEARED OF THE TAIL BOOM. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, THE FUEL HOSE B-NUT (CONNECTED TO THE INLET SIDE OF THE FUEL FILTER) WAS FOUND LOOSE & LESS THAN FINGER TIGHT. MOVING THE FUEL HOSE CAUSED A STEADY STREAM OF FUEL TO FLOW OUTWARD FROM THE B-NUT. ALSO, THE B-NUT ON THE INLET SIDE OF THE FUEL FILTER WAS FOUND TO BE FINGER TIGHT & COULD BE BACKED OFF WITH FINGER FORCE. AN ANNUAL/300 HOUR INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON 1/10/84, 39 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5743H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5743H), registered now, S/N 3042, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20) (registry code 54178, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3042
- Airframe hours: 784
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ray L. Atchison Construction
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1984, 39 hours before
- Destination: CORTEZ, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 6,380 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19840406016329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840406016329A), Apr 6, 1984: Bell 206B, Farmington, NM, Substantial damage. Loose b nut on fuel line caused air to enter fuel system and a power loss on takeoff. No time to enter autorotation

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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