# NTSB DEN84LA232: Bell 206B, N5754K, Durango, CO, July 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1984, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269748, -107.87973 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2697&lon=-107.8797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA232

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT AS THE PLT MANEUVERED OVER A RIDGE LINE AFTER OPERATING OVER 1 HOUR WITHOUT REFUELING EVEN THOUGH FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT THE LAST STOP. THE PLT SAID THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED 6 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. OF THIS ABOUT 2 ARE UNUSABLE IN LEVEL CRUISE AND MORE UNUSABLE WHEN MANEUVERING. THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO DRAINED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT SAID ABOUT 4 GALLONS WERE ON BOARD. THE PLT WAS ONLY 5 MILES FROM DESTINATION WHEN FLAMEOUT OCCURRED, WHICH CANOCCUR FROM FUEL FLOW INTERRUPTION WHEN 'SLOSHING' DURING MANEUVERS. THE ENGINE WILL NOT RE-IGNITE UNLESS IT HAS IGNITIONSUCH AS AN AUTO RELIGHT WHICH THIS ACFT DID NOT HAVE. THE PLT DID NOT MENTION ANY ATTEMPTS TO RESTART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5754K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3126
- Airframe hours: 3126
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters
- Registered owner: New Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1984, 81 hours before
- Departed: TALL TIMBERS LD, CO
- Destination: 5CO, DURANGO, CO
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,380 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 5,140 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO

## 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 19840721059759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840721059759A), Jul 21, 1984: Bell 206B, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out due to unporting of fuel supply, autorotated into trees. Not equipped with auto relight.

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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