# NTSB FTW91LA121: Bell 206B, N16962, Freeport, TX, July 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1991, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Freeport, TX
- Coordinates: 28.949737, -95.360786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9497&lon=-95.3608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA121

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM DURING THE AUTOROTATION. FACTORS WERE THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE READ 74 GALLONS DURING HIS PRE FLIGHT INSPECTION AND THAT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, WHEN HE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY TO HIS DESTINATION, IT WAS READING 24 GALLONS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION THE BOOST PUMP LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE GAUGE WAS READING 5 GALLONS. HE STATED THAT AT THAT POINT HE DECIDED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND FIND THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE FLAMED OUT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION BEFORE HE COULD LAND AND HE ENTERED AUTOROTATION. DURING THE DESCENT THE PILOT NOTICED THAT HE WAS GOING TO HIT A BUSH AND HE EXTENDED HIS GLIDE OVER THE BUSH. AS A RESULT THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL DURING THE PRE FLIGHT AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD 20 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE DEPARTED ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. ALL OF THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE FUEL GAUGE WERE FUNCTIONALLY TESTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16962](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16962-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 2362, 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: 2362
- Airframe hours: 7336
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Houston Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Notlef Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: NONE, PEARLAND, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,773 total, 2,098 in this make and model, 1,996 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLS, 15 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 19910714062359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910714062359A), Jul 14, 1991: Bell 206B, Freeport, TX, Substantial damage. Boost pump lights came on. Lost power on autorotation landing. Hard landing fuel pumps burned out. Lacked fuel.

## Other investigations on N16962 (2)

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.

- [NTSB ANC03LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA015), Nov 15, 2002: Bell 206B (N16962), Kingman, AZ, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from obstacles during cruise flight, which resulted in the helicopter striking a transmission line, and subsequently the ground.
- [NTSB FTW88LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA153), Aug 18, 1988: Bell 206B (N16962), Pearland, TX, substantial damage

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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