# NTSB DEN88LA137: Bell 206B3, N2754A, Missoula, MT, June 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1988, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Missoula, MT
- Coordinates: 46.899269, -113.919197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8993&lon=-113.9192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - sheared

## Analysis

A CHECK AIRMAN AND A COMMERCIAL PLT WERE PERFORMING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. DURING CLIMBOUT AFTER A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, THE ENGINE OUT AUDIO AND LIGHT WARNING ACTIVATED. BOTH PILOTS VERIFIED AN ACTUAL ENGINE OUT AND ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON SOFT TERRAIN WITH SOME FORWARD MOVEMENT AND LOW ROTOR RPM. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED IT. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION SUPERVISED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR, FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2754A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2647
- Airframe hours: 3068
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Minuteman Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Minuteman Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1988, 17 hours before
- Departed: MSO
- Destination: MSO
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: MSO, Missoula Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19880626026179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880626026179A), Jun 26, 1988: Bell 206B, Missoula, MT, Substantial damage. Engine flameout on a go around from practice autorotation. Tail severed by impact.

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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