# NTSB FTW03LA216: Bell 206B-3, N197AA, Kisatchie, LA, September 9, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2003, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Kisatchie, LA - Coordinates: 31.41611, -93.172225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4161&lon=-93.1722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 57904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA216 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - fuel system - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis After takeoff, the engine lost power as the helicopter reached 50 feet AGL. The 5,400-hour pilot elected to perform an autorotation to a nearby open field. During the autorotation, the helicopter impacted the ground hard and came to rest on its right side. The engine was examined and revealed no major damage. The engine fuel filter was removed revealing contaminates inside the filter element assembly. There was fuel in the fuel pump filter bowl, and also revealed contaminates. Fuel samples were taken from the fuel pump filter bowl and the fuel cell. Lab test analysis revealed heavy water contamination in the fuel system. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2003, at 1715 central daylight time, a Bell 206B-3 helicopter, N197AA, registered to and operated by American Applicators LLC, based in Natchitoches, Louisiana, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, near Kisatchie, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. During an interview conducted by an FAA inspector, the 5,400-hour pilot stated that after taking off from the platform, with 560 pounds of herbicide and approximately 30 gallons of fuel, the engine lost power as he was passing 50 feet AGL. The pilot initiated a descending right turn to gain rotor speed, and the helicopter impacted the ground hard. The aircraft came to rest on its right side, approximately 1,000 feet from the departure point. After the pilot exited the cabin, he noticed a fuel leak on the right side of helicopter, and a small fire on the left exhaust stack. The fire burned briefly and did not ignite the spilled fuel. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, reported the helicopter damage included the separation of the tail boom in two pieces, one was located at the rear of the wreckage and the tail rotor was 20 feet to the right of the helicopter. Both of the landing gear skids were shattered and the fuselage was deformed. One of the main rotor blades bent down and over while the other one broke off approximately six feet from the hub. The engine and transmission remained attached to the airframe. Examination of the engine was conducted with assistance from a representative from the engine manufacturer, and revealed no major damage. All engine accessories were found in good condition. All oil, fuel, and pneumatic lines were in good condition and tight. The engine fuel filter was removed revealing contaminates inside the filter element assembly. There was fuel in the fuel pump filter bowl, and also revealed contaminates. Control continuity from the cockpit to the fuel control unit was verified. The fuel control unit filter assembly was removed and the element was heavily contaminated. The oil filter element was removed and in good condition. The operator reported that the engine had been overhauled approximately 30 flight-hours prior to the accident. Fuel samples were taken from the fuel pump filter bowl and fuel cell. The sample obtained from the fuel cell was extracted by using the helicopter's boost pumps. Aviation Laboratories conducted a fuel additive test for PRIST. The test revealed no PRIST in the fuel; however, the lab test analysis revealed heavy water contamination in the fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N197AA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N197AA), registered now, S/N 3517, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B-3 - 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: 3517 - Airframe hours: 14497 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Alfred C. Bell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Kisatchie, LA - Destination: Kisatchie, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 27, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 5,400 total, 5,300 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: IER, 20 nm away ## 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 20030909025219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030909025219A), Sep 9, 2003: Bell 206B, Kisatchie, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) The rotorcraft departed platform and climbed to 50 ft. AGL, then lost power and impacted ground approximately 1000 ft from departure point. 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.