# NTSB NYC82FA083: Bell 206L, N16959, New York City, NY, April 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1982, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: New York City, NY
- Location: 40.7143° N, 74.0060° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New York, NY, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7143&lon=-74.0060&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FA083

## 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
  - fuel system,fuel control - failure,partial (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED THE 34TH STREET HELIPORT ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLT TO THE STATUE OF LIBERTY & RETURN. AS THE FLT CROSSED LOWER MANHATTAN, ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE EAST RIVER, THE PLT HEARD THE LOW RPM AUDIO SIGNAL. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE & ROTOR RPM RETURNED TO THE GREEN. WHILE TURNING TO THE EAST RIVER THE GENERATOR-OUT & ENG-OUT LIGHTS' ILLUMINATED. THE FLOATS WERE INFLATED & THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE WATER IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE NOSE THEN CONTACTED THE WATER & THE CHIN BUBBLE BROKE. WATER ENTERED THE HELICOPTER & IT ROLLED RIGHT TO AN INVERTED POSITION. INVESTIGATIONDISCLOSED THAT THE FILTER LINE BETWEEN THE COMPRESSOR SCROLL & THE POWER CONTROL UNIT HAD BROKEN AT THE FILTER END. A VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED PC LINE & THE B-NUT FITTING DISCLOSED THAT THE FRACTURE OCCURRED AT THE OUTBOARDEND OF THE FERRUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N16959 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 46610
- Airframe hours: 3603
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Island Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Island Helicopter, Inc.
- Departed: NEW YORK CITY, NY
- Destination: NEW YORK CITY, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,339 total, 584 in this make and model, 963 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGA, 8 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 19820429015619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820429015619A), Apr 29, 1982: Bell 206L, New York, NY, Substantial damage. Lost power, autorotated into east river. Rolled after hard landing. Pc line broken at b nut on fuel control unit.

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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