# NTSB FTW96LA299: Bell 206B, N1082N, Matagorda, TX, July 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1996, 06:42 local (11:42 UTC) - Place: Matagorda, TX - Coordinates: 28.730169, -95.880317 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7302&lon=-95.8803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA299 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,filter - contamination,water (cause) - fuel system,filter - contamination,other than water (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he flew the helicopter to a refueling facility and refueled. Shortly after takeoff, while en route to pick up passengers, the engine began to lose power. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing; however, the engine lost total power about 50 to 75 feet above the ground. An autorotation was made to an area of bushes. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the airframe fuel filter was contaminated with water and a green material. The engine driven fuel pump filter was also contaminated, and the fuel control screen contained some foreign material. Samples of fuel were collected from fuel facilities that had been used on the day of the accident and the day before the accident. However, no relevant contamination was found. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1996, at 0642 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N1082N, registered to and operated by Horizon Helicopters, Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Matagorda, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was originating from Matagorda at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector and in the Pilot/Operator Report that he flew the helicopter to the fueling facility and fueled the helicopter with 50 gallons of Jet A. Shortly after takeoff, while en route to pick up passengers, the engine began to lose power. While executing a precautionary landing, at about 50-75 feet AGL, the engine lost total power. An autorotation was initiated to an area of bushes that were three to four feet in height. The helicopter landed hard, and the main rotor severed the tailboom forward of the horizontal stabilizer. Examination of the helicopter by the FAA inspector revealed that the airframe fuel filter was contaminated with water and a green material. The engine driven fuel pump filter was also contaminated, and the fuel control screen had some foreign material in it. Fuel samples were taken at the fueling facility where the helicopter had just fueled. The sample taken at the fueling nozzle contained no contamination. The sample taken at the sump revealed only minor foreign material. Fuel samples were also taken at all fueling facilities the helicopter was fueled at the day prior to the accident. There was no contamination found. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he had taken a fuel sample during his preflight of the helicopter, and no contamination was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1082N (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2945 - Airframe hours: 11060 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 417 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Horizon Helicopter, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 1996, 38 hours before - Departed: 02TA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,944 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 6,404 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PSX, 16 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 19960711016639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960711016639A), Jul 11, 1996: Bell 206B, Matagorda, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed in flight and aircraft crashed landed. (.4) the pilot reported that he flew the helicopter to a refueling Facility and refueled. Shortly after… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.