# NTSB LAX86LA091: Bell 206B-3, N3179X, Waimea, HI, January 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1986, 15:45 local (Jan 16, 1986, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Waimea, HI
- Coordinates: 21.950723, -159.669845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9507&lon=-159.6698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - pneumatic system - cracked (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel control - inoperative
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL FLT, THE PLT DESCENDED TO APRX 500 FT AGL AND FLEW THE HELICOPTER ALONG A COASTAL AREA. HE REPORTED THE HELICOPTER SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND HE INITIATED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING TO THE BEACH WHERE THE HELICOPTER 'HAD A HARD LANDING.'  AN EXAM REVEALED A CRACKED AND BROKEN PNEUMATIC LINE AT THE FUEL CONTROLLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3179X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3179X-2009-08-10), registration cancelled 2009-08-10, S/N 3756, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (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: 3756
- Airframe hours: 2778
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 370 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Kenai Air Hawaii
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 1985, 69 hours before
- Departed: MUE, KAMUELA, HI
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,918 total, 2,750 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19860115075759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860115075759A), Jan 15, 1986: Bell 206B, Waimea, HI, Substantial damage. Loss of power during cruise with a hard landing on autorotation. Found a broken pneumatic line at fuel controller.

## Other investigations on N3179X (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 ANC95LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA014), Dec 4, 1994: Bell 206B (N3179X), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INFORMATION IN THE FLIGHT MANUAL CONCERNING THE USE OF THE PARTICLE SEPARATOR KIT AND DEFLECTOR KIT WHEN OPERATING IN FALLING SNOW. FACTORS WERE THE ROUGH TERRAIN IN…
- [NTSB LAX85LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA282), Jun 15, 1985: Bell 206B-III (N3179X), Lahaina, HI, 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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