# NTSB FTW82DA178: Bell 206L-1, N2048X, Cameron, LA, May 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1982, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Cameron, LA
- Coordinates: 29.789575, -93.290802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7896&lon=-93.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel control - open (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system - distorted (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE TO REFUEL THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND ELECTED TO AUTOROTATE TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT ROCKED FORWARD THEN BACK ON LANDING AND THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED BOTH FUEL FLOW SWITCHES WERE STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND THE LEFT BOOST PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2048X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45702
- Airframe hours: 498
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Pumpkin Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Pumpkin Air, Inc.
- Departed: HOUMA, LA
- Destination: WEST CAMERON 55, GM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: IR5, Cameron Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,230 total, 9 in this make and model, 4,053 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820515046689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820515046689A), May 15, 1982: Bell 206L1, Cameron, LA, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Made hard autorotation landing in swamp grass. Fuel flow switches stuck open. Captivated fuel.

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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