# NTSB IAD96LA067: Bell 206B, N111PM, Logan, WV, April 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1996, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Logan, WV - Coordinates: 37.800937, -81.870033 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8009&lon=-81.8700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28041 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28041/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA067 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate fuel supply for the flight which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and the loss of rotor rpm during the autorotation. The downhill sloping terrain was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor) - adequate rotor rpm - not available, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the helicopter was in cruise flight at 600 feet above ground level when the engine lost power. He entered an autorotational descent, but was forced to try to extend the glide because of rough, downhill sloping terrain. The rotor RPM decayed, and at touchdown the main rotor flexed down and severed the tail boom. Postaccident inspection revealed '...less than (1) one quart [of fuel] available in fuel cell.' The pilot reported that he had exhausted the helicopter's fuel supply. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1996, at 0945 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Bell 206B helicopter, N111PM, sustained substantial damage following a forced landing near Logan, West Virginia. The pilot and the two passengers reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, no flight plan was filed. The business flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91, and originated in Huntington, West Virginia, at 0815 EDT. The intended destination was Rita, West Virginia. The pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspectors that he was in cruise flight at 600 feet above ground level (AGL), when the helicopter engine lost power. He reported that he initiated an autorotational descent. The pilot stated that, due to rough and sloping terrain, he was forced to extend his glide to landing. The pilot stated: "Due to low rotor rpm, the main rotor flexed on touchdown and severed the rear portion of tailboom." The FAA Inspector's report stated: "Interview with [the] pilot revealed [that the] engine flameout occurred due to fuel exhaustion. Pilot admitted to having inadequate fuel on board. Aircraft was approximately 2 minutes from intended fuel stop. Pilot stated [that he had] no recollection [of] low fuel warning/alert." Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed less than 1 quart of fuel in the fuel cell. FAA Inspectors stated that the helicopter's fuel quantity and low fuel warning systems appeared to be capable of normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N111PM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N111PM), registered now, S/N 1770, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20J](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20j) (registry code 54181, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1770 - Airframe hours: 9158 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pittston Coal Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 4, 1996, 93 hours before - Departed: HTS, HUNTINGTON, WV - Destination: RITA, WV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 15,340 total, 11,200 in this make and model, 14,500 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BLF, 48 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 19960426009119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960426009119A), Apr 26, 1996: Bell 206B, Logan, WV, Substantial damage. No narrative available ## Other investigations on N111PM (1) 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 WPR24LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA067), Dec 24, 2023: Bell 206B (N111PM), El Centro, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft due to a fatigue fracture of the forward-most flex plate in the forward KAflex coupling that resulted from a loose bolt attachment… 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.