# NTSB FTW88DPA01: Bell 206B, N206DW, Dallas, TX, December 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1987, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 32.829448, -96.849731 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8294&lon=-96.8497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DPA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,calibration - not maintained, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE FUEL PUMP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PILOT HEADED FOR A LOCAL AIRPORT. ENROUTE, THE ENGINE SURGED AND FLAMED OUT. DURING THE LANDING, THE ROTOR BLADES HIT TREES, AND THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD LANDING. THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED 11 GALLONS. LATER THE GAGE INDICATED 14 GALLONS, BUT FIVE GALLONS TOTAL WERE DRAINED FROM THE TANK. WITH THE TANK EMPTY, THE GAGE INDICATED 8 GALLONS. THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE AIRFRAME FILTER. AFTER THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS TURNED ON, THERE WAS FUEL IN THE HP FILTER. PILOT STATED IN REPORT, 'DUE TO THE FAULTY FUEL BOOST PUMP AND INACCURATE FUEL GAGE READING, AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N206DW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 56
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Walden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RBD, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: ADS, Addison

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,850 total, 98 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19871204069189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871204069189A), Dec 4, 1987: Bell 206A, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Forced hard landing on street due to fuel starvation. Rotor blades hit tailboom and trees. Faulty pump and gauge.

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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