# NTSB FTW89FA075: Bell 206B, N5004L, West Cameron, April 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1989, 13:27 local (18:27 UTC)
- Place: West Cameron
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA075

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE/INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND FUEL CONTAMINATION, WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  RELATED FACTORS WERE: A BINDING (STUCK) FUEL FILTER CAP BYPASS VALVE AND PARTIAL FAILURE (INTERMITTENT OPERATION) OF THE RESPECTIVE ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - annunciator panel light(s) - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER HAD SVRL INFLT ENG DECELERATIONS THAT MAINTENANCE EFFORTS DID NOT ISOLATE. AFTER REPLACING THE ENG FUEL CONTROLLER, A TEST FLT WAS MADE (FROM AN OIL DRILLING PLATFORM). DRG THE FLT, THE ENG SURGED, THEN DECELERATED. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE HELIPAD. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON THE PLATFORM, SHORT OF THE HELIPAD, RATHER THAN ACCEPT SEA CONDS OF 8 FT WAVES. DRG THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM REVEALED FUEL CONTAMINATION HAD OCCURRED. CONTAMINATION HAD BYPASSED FILTERS IN THE FUEL SYS & HAD CLOGGED & COLLAPSED THE ENG FUEL NOZZLE SCREEN. THE AIRFRAME FUEL FILTER CAP BYPASS VLV WAS FND STUCK OPEN IN THE BYPASS MODE. A PIN (CONNECTED TO THE FUEL FILTER CAP IMPENDING BYPASS TEST BUTTON) WAS FND BENT, HOLDING THE BYPASS VLV OPEN. AN OPEN BYPASS VLV SHOULD HAVE ILLUMINATED A RESPECTIVE ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT IN THE COCKPIT; HOWEVER, WHEN CHECKED, THE ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT OPERD ONLY INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO A FAULTYCOMPONENT IN THE SYS. DRG TESTS, THE CLOGGED/COLLAPSED FUEL SCREEN PREVENTED SUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW TO SUSTAIN ENG POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5004L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5004L-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 2451, built 1978 (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 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2451
- Airframe hours: 6728
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 235 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Industrial Helicopters
- Registered owner: Notlef, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 17, 1989, 42 hours before
- Airport: WC26, West Cameron, Blk 266

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,008 total, 4,540 in this make and model, 6,740 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890405006609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890405006609A), Apr 5, 1989: Bell 206B, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on test flight. Autorotate to oil rig but landed short of pad. Fuel nozzle clogged. Dirt in system

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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