- Date
- January 28, 1995, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place
- Miami, FL
- Injuries
- 3 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N5008NBell 206-B3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 9, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950128000919I
- Case key
- 37725
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Inadequate maintenance and inspection, and a loose fuel pc line. The wires were a factor which necessitated early collective pitch.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, ABOUT 800 FT OVER A FOOTBALL STADIUM, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION AND APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH EARLY TO AVOID WIRES. tHE HELICOPTER THEN LANDED HARD DAMAGING THE BELLY AND THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE LINE [PC] WAS LOOSE AT THE FUEL CONTROL.
Factual narrative
On January 28, 1995, about 1730 eastern standard time, N5008N, a Bell 206-B3 helicopter experienced an engine failure in Miami, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 135, on-demand, passenger local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from North Perry Airport, Hollywood, Florida, about 30 minutes earlier.
The pilot stated that while in cruise flight about 800 feet above the ground over a football stadium the engine failed. He initiated an autorotation and applied collective pitch early to avoid wires. The helicopter then landed hard damaging the belly and the transmission mounts. Examination of the engine revealed the compressor discarge pressure line [PC] was loose at the fuel control.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5008N
- Reported as
- Bell 206-B3
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2518
- Airframe hours
- 6,050
- Engine
- Allison 250L-20B, 420 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Registered owner
- Cresent Airways Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · December 30, 1994 · 43 hours before
- Departed
- HWO · Hollywood, FL
- Destination
- HWO · FL
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 37
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 3,800 total · 2,500 in this make and model · 3,500 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 95° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 68 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HWO, 1 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.