# NTSB DEN89LA080: Eller BD-5B, N94EC, Colorado Spring, CO, February 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1989, 13:28 local (20:28 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Location: 38.8058° N, 104.7008° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI (COS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8058&lon=-104.7008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA080

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF FUEL LINES WHICH WERE PINCHED OFF CAUSING FUEL STARVATION WHEN THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TERRAIN FEATURES INCLUDING LOOSE GRAVEL SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS PERFORMING AN INITIAL FLIGHT ON HIS SINGLE PLACE HOMEBUILT ACFT. DURING INITIAL CLIMB, AT 400 FT AGL, THE GEAR AND FLAPS WERE RETRACTED. 10 SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER AND THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. THE POWER RESUMED AND 20 SECONDS LATER THE PLT SAID THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG TURN AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE PLANE UNDERSHOT AND LANDED 100 FEET SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT REPORTED THE LANDING GEAR PINCHED THE FLEXIBLE FUEL LINES WHEN RETRACTED. AN FAA INSPECTOR CONCURRED AFTER A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION. 5 WEEKS LATER THE PLT WROTE A LETTER STATING THAT HE FELT THAT WATER IN THE AUTO FUEL CAUSED THE REPORTED ENGINE STOPPAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - distorted
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - gear extension - not performed
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94EC), registered now, S/N 3200 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ELLER BD-5B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1994
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: SUZUKI 532CC 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard E. Eller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: COS
- Destination: COS
- Airport: COS, Colorado Springs, runway 30, 8,511 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 436 total, 6 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- 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 19890224002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890224002699A), Feb 24, 1989: Amtrbd BEDEBD5B, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on test flight,force landed gear and flaps up. Fuel line was pinched off by retracted landing gear.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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