# NTSB LAX83FA400: Bell 206-B, N17355, Battle Mountain, NV, August 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1983, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Battle Mountain, NV
- Coordinates: 40.470672, -117.030807 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4707&lon=-117.0308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA400
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA400

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,fuel control - contamination
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rising
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF,TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT SKID,BOUNCED AND ROLLED OVER. THE FLT HAD ORIGINATED AT 1315 AT A LOCAL FIELD AND PROCEEDED TO PICK UP A PASSENGER AT ANOTHER LOCATION. THE ACFT HAD JUST LANDED, PICKED UP THE PASSENGER AND WAS DEPARTING TO TAKE HIM TO A MINING CLAIMS SURVEY WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE HELICOPTER WAS EXAMINED AND THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN BUT NO REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS FOUND. IN THE FUEL GOVERNOR AND FUEL CONTROLLER SMALL BITS OF METAL, WOOD, CLOTH AND AN 'O' RING WERE FOUND. IN THE OPINION OF THE TECHNICIANS THIS WAS CONSISTENT WITH A SYSTEM OPERATING IN BYPASS & COULD NOT BY THEMSELVES HAVE CAUSED A SUDDEN PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. SOME OTHER MINOR DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND, NONE OF WHICH SHOULD HAVE AFFECTED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17355](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17355-2012-07-24), registration cancelled 2012-07-24, S/N 694, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 694
- Airframe hours: 6036
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C-20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Enterprise Helicopters
- Registered owner: Ralph Franklin & Son
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,710 total, 3,001 in this make and model, 5,110 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAM, 14 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 19830822042919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830822042919A), Aug 22, 1983: Bell 206B, Battle Mountain, NV, Destroyed. Engine lost partial power on vertical liftoff. Rolled over on hard landing. Suspect old style pressure fuel filter.

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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