# NTSB FTW92LA166: Bell 206L-3, N66LR, Ponca City, OK, June 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1992, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Ponca City, OK
- Coordinates: 36.700607, -97.14952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7006&lon=-97.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA166

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MAIN ROTOR RPM. A FACTOR WAS THE CONTAMINATED FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING HIS HELICOPTER AT A SLOW AIRSPEED AT APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 100 FEET AGL WHEN A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. HE INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE MAIN ROTOR RPM WAS LOW AND A HARD LANDING OCCURRED. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD STRIKING THE TAILBOOM WHICH SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED ORGANIC MATTER HAD CONTAMINATED THE FUEL SUPPLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66LR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66LR-2001-12-20), registration cancelled 2001-12-20, S/N 51538, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51538
- Airframe hours: 195
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Petroleum Investors
- Registered owner: Petroleum Investors
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 13, 1992, 92 hours before
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,700 total, 180 in this make and model, 141 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNC, 8 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 19920621021279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920621021279A), Jun 21, 1992: Bell 206L3, Ponca City, OK, Substantial damage. Fuel contamination a factor in power loss. Autorotated to a hard landing. Main rotors struck tailboom.

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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