# NTSB DFW06CA011: Bell B206 L-3, N941SL, Marble Falls, TX, October 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2005, 14:32 local (19:32 UTC) - Place: Marble Falls, TX - Coordinates: 30.978055, -98.455001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9781&lon=-98.4550&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62708/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA011 ## Probable cause A hard landing as result of a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - object - wire,transmission - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command ## Analysis The 6,900-hour commercial helicopter pilot was returning to his home base helipad after a public relations static display mission at a nearby airport. The flight included a planned fuel stop at an intermediate airport on the way back to home base. During the approach, while the helicopter was approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot reported in the Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that available engine power continued to decrease while he maintained a constant pitch setting on the approach. The pilot initiated the immediate action steps of the emergency procedures for a loss of engine power by confirming that the throttle was in the full-open position while lowering the collective to initiate an autorotation. The pilot was forced to increase collective pitch to avoid power lines which resulted in a decay of rotor RPM to 90 percent available for the landing. The aircraft touched down tail low while in a decelerating flare and the tail stinger contacted the ground first. As additional collective pitch was applied to cushion the landing, the pilot leveled the aircraft and landed upright on the intended helipad. The pilot and his two passengers were uninjured and the helicopter sustained structural damage. The engine was removed from the helicopter and shipped to the factory for examination and test run. An FAA inspector from provided on-site assistance to insure the engine was properly crated and shipped to the factory. The engine evaluation and test run was performed on November 9, 2005, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. A written statement provided by the inspector stated that no discrepancies were noted during all phases of the engine run and that the engine produced above rated power at take off power setting. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The 6,900-hour commercial helicopter pilot was returning to his home base helipad after a public relations static display mission at a nearby airport. The flight included a planned fuel stop at an intermediate airport on the way back to home base. During the approach, while the helicopter was approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot reported in the Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that available engine power continued to decrease while he maintained a constant pitch setting on the approach. The pilot initiated the immediate action steps of the emergency procedures for a loss of engine power by confirming that the throttle was in the full-open position while lowering the collective to initiate an autorotation. The pilot was forced to increase collective pitch to avoid power lines which resulted in a decay of rotor RPM to 90 percent available for the landing. The aircraft touched down tail low while in a decelerating flare and the tail stinger contacted the ground first. As additional collective pitch was applied to cushion the landing, the pilot leveled the aircraft and landed upright on the intended helipad. The pilot and his two passengers were uninjured and the helicopter sustained structural damage. The engine was removed from the helicopter and shipped to the factory for examination and test run. An FAA inspector from provided on-site assistance to insure the engine was properly crated and shipped to the factory. The engine evaluation and test run was performed on November 9, 2005, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. A written statement provided by the inspector stated that no discrepancies were noted during all phases of the engine run and that the engine produced above rated power at take off power setting. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: N941SL (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell B206 L-3 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 51331 - Airframe hours: 4947.5 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C30P 450 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Evac Leasing Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 1, 2005, 6.5 hours before - Departed: KBMQ, Burnet, TX - Destination: AE49, Marble Falls, TX - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: AE49, Helipad, Marble Falls, Texas ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 6,903 total, 5,125 in this make and model, 6,577 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg ## 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 20051022027989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051022027989A), Oct 22, 2005: Bell 206L3, Marble Falls, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Helicopter partially lost engine power during approach to landing at assigned base helipad in Marble Falls, Texas. Pilot reacted appropriately and used… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.