# NTSB DFW06CA112: Bell 206B, N342WC, Vinita, OK, May 2, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 1, 2006, 20:00 local (May 2, 2006, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Vinita, OK - Coordinates: 36.6330555555556, -95.1513888888889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6331&lon=-95.1514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63593 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63593/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA112 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper pre-flight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - grass - terrain condition - wet - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 164-hour private pilot reported that when the single-engine turbine powered helicopter was seven miles from the airport, the fuel boost pump caution light illuminated, and the fuel gauge was indicating approximately 15 gallons of fuel remaining. The pilot elected to continue to fly towards the airport; however, while on final approach the engine lost power. The pilot entered an autorotation, but due to his low altitude, he realized the descent angle would have placed the helicopter onto a busy four-lane highway. The pilot added that he increased the collective, which increased altitude, and he was able to cross over the highway and a fence; however, this maneuver reduced inertia in the main rotor system. As a result, the pilot flared over a wet, grassy field about 30 feet, leveled the helicopter and landed with some forward speed. During touchdown, the skids dug into the ground and the helicopter came to an abrupt stop, toppled over, and came to rest upside down. The tail boom separated and came to rest about 20 feet from the fuselage. Examination of the helicopter revealed there was no fuel in the fuel nozzle or in the external fuel filter. There was no indication of a fuel spill during the mishap sequence. ## Factual narrative The 164-hour private pilot reported that when the single-engine turbine powered helicopter was seven miles from the airport, the fuel boost pump caution light illuminated and the fuel gauge was indicating approximately 15 gallons of fuel remaining. The pilot elected to continued to fly toward the airport; however, while on final approach the engine lost power. The pilot entered an autorotation, but due to his low altitude, he realized the descent angle would have placed the helicopter onto a busy four-lane highway. The pilot added that he increased the collective, which increased altitude, and he was able to cross over the highway and a fence; however, this maneuver reduced inertia in the main rotor system. As a result, the pilot flared over a wet, grassy field about 30 feet, leveled the helicopter and landed with some forward speed. During touchdown, the skids dug into the ground and the helicopter came to an abrupt stop, toppled over, and came to rest upside down. The tail boom separated and came to rest about 20 feet from the fuselage. Examination of the helicopter revealed there was no fuel in the fuel nozzle or in the external fuel filter. There was no indication of a fuel spill during the mishap sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N342WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N342WC-2007-11-26), registration cancelled 2007-11-26, S/N 1523, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1523 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Summit Aviation, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: H97, Pawnee, OK - Destination: H04, Vinita, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 164 total, 80 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night ## 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 20060501005999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060501005999A), May 1, 2006: Bell 206B, Vinita, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 01, 2006, at approximately 2000 hrs CST, a Bell 206B, piloted by an appropriately rated private pilot, substantially damaged the helicopter while… 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.