# NTSB NYC00LA263: Bell 206B, N3298G, North Arlington, NJ, September 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 2000, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: North Arlington, NJ - Location: 40.7863° N, 74.1262° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Arlington, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7863&lon=-74.1262&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50302/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to fly with an insufficient fuel quantity. A factor in the accident was the failure of the fuel boost pump. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - fuel system,electric boost pump - failure (contributing factor) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - low level - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot had completed an aerial application, and was returning to a private helipad. About 40-60 feet agl, a warning light momentarily illuminated. The pilot attempted to divert to an airport where maintenance facilities were available, but the engine lost all power. The pilot autorotated to a field, and damaged the main rotor blades and tailboom. Examination of the helicopter by a FAA inspector revealed that the fuel gauge displayed 'E' and 5-7 gallons of fuel was present in the fuel tank. In addition, the operator had reported that and electrical connector had failed in one of the fuel boost pumps. According to a representative from the helicopter manufacturer, the make and model helicopter burned about 25 gallons of fuel per hour. Review of the helicopter manual revealed, 'Due to possible fuel sloshing in unusual attitudes or out of trim conditions and one or both fuel boost pumps inoperative, the unusable fuel is ten gallons.' Review of FAR 91.151(b) revealed, 'No person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 20 minutes.' ## Factual narrative On September 13, 2000, about 0930 Eastern Daylight Time, a Bell 206B, N3298G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in North Arlington, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The flight departed a private helipad near Belleville, New Jersey, about 0830. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that he had completed aerial spraying, and was returning to the private helipad, about 3-5 miles away. At an altitude of about 40-60 feet above the ground, the pilot thought he observed a chip warning light momentarily illuminate. He attempted to divert to Teterboro Airport, Teterboro, New Jersey, where maintenance facilities were available. The engine then lost all power, and the pilot performed an autorotation to a field. During the landing, the main rotor blades struck small trees. The main rotor blades and tailboom sustained substantial damage. On the day of the accident, FAA inspectors examined the helicopter. They activated the electrical power, and the fuel gauge displayed "E." The inspectors then looked into the fuel tank, and observed approximately 5-7 gallons of fuel. Two days after the accident, the operator stated that an electrical connector on a fuel boost pump had failed, and was replaced. However, the pilot never stated that he observed a "FUEL PUMP" warning. According to a representative from the helicopter manufacturer, the make and model helicopter burned approximately 25 gallons of fuel per hour. Review of a make and model helicopter flight manual revealed: "Due to possible fuel sloshing in unusual attitudes or out of trim conditions and one or both fuel boost pumps inoperative, the unusable fuel is ten gallons." Review of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.151(b) revealed: "No person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 20 minutes." ## Aircraft - Registration: N3298G (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1909 - Airframe hours: 5850 - Engines: Allison C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Raco Helicopters - Registered owner: Airlinx Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2000, 35 hours before - Departed: NONE, BELLEVILLE, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 24,184 total, 8,851 in this make and model, 20,241 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EWR, 180 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 20000913038989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000913038989A), Sep 13, 2000: Bell 206B, North Arlington, NJ, No damage. (-23) On 9/13/00 the a/c was spraying for the bergen county mosquito commission. The pilot claimed he just finished his run and was heading for the heliport.… 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.